A village in the densely populated capital region of the Philippines launched an unusual strategy to combat dengue, offering residents a small cash reward for capturing mosquitoes, dead or alive.
Addition Hills, a community in Mandaluyong City, introduced the initiative on Wednesday as concerns grew over a spike in cases of the mosquito-borne disease. The move follows Quezon City’s declaration of a dengue outbreak over the weekend, along with eight other areas also reporting a surge in infections.
According to the health department, at least 28,234 dengue cases have been recorded across the Philippines as of 1 February, marking a 40 per cent increase from the same period last year. In Quezon City alone, 10 people, mostly children, died this year out of 1,769 recorded cases.
Addition Hills, home to more than 100,000 people living in crowded neighbourhoods and high-rise condominiums, had already been conducting clean-up drives, canal de-clogging, and hygiene campaigns to curb dengue. However, when cases rose to 42 this year and two young students died, village leader Carlito Cernal decided to take a more aggressive approach.
“There was an alarm,” Cernal told the AP, “I found a way.”
Under the scheme, residents are offered one Philippine peso for every five mosquitoes or mosquito larvae they hand in.
Critics have warned that the plan could backfire if people start breeding mosquitoes for cash. However, Cernal dismissed the concerns, stating that the campaign would end once cases begin to decline.
As the initiative kicked off, a small crowd of mosquito hunters gathered at the village office. Among them was 64-year-old scavenger Miguel Labag, who exchanged a jug containing 45 mosquito larvae for nine pesos (15p).
Dengue is a viral infection found in tropical regions, causing symptoms such as joint pain, nausea, rashes, and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties, haemorrhaging, and organ failure. While there is no specific treatment, early medical care to maintain fluid levels is crucial.
Meanwhile, officials in another Quezon City village are considering an alternative approach, releasing swarms of frogs to eat mosquitoes.
Health secretary Teodoro Herbosa also stressed the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and urged anyone with symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. Despite the surge in cases, the country has managed to maintain relatively low mortality rates.
Health undersecretary Alberto Domingo suggested that dengue cases were rising unusually early ahead of the rainy season, which typically starts in June. He also liked the growing cases the rainfall, creating stagnant water, ideal mosquito breeding conditions.
