MISTING. The Provincial Health Office of Negros Oriental is undertaking misting activities in areas with a high prevalence of dengue cases to eradicate mosquitos that carry the dengue virus. Negros Oriental continues to experience an increase in dengue cases in recent months. (PNA photo by Oliver Marquez)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Negros Oriental is undertaking misting activities in certain areas in the province that have more potential mosquito breeding mosquito sites amid a continuous rise in dengue cases.
Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion on Thursday said while misting is not highly recommended unless under professional supervision, in some instances it is allowed to complement other preventive measures.
“We are giving out chemicals to the local government units (LGUs) for them to undertake misting activities but only when there is a need for it,” she said in mixed English and Cebuano.
Estacion said the PHO has misting equipment that can be made available to the LGUs upon request.
The PHO official said sanitary inspectors are sent to areas with high dengue cases to do an entomological survey to determine the need for misting.
Misting aims to kill adult mosquitos that are carrying the dengue virus, while other measures are undertaken to destroy the breeding grounds for the mosquito larvae.
Meanwhile, the PHO is also treating mosquito nets, curtains, and other items with chemicals, which fight off the dengue vector.
PHO records showed that from January 1 to July 30 this year, the province logged a total of 1,067 dengue cases with six deaths.
This is 160 percent more than last year’s figures of 410 cases and zero deaths for the same period. (PNA)
