DOST increases dengue mosquito trap production

By Jose Rafael Cesar Atencio

Thursday 2nd of August 2012

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 2 -– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said it continues to find ways to improve the effectiveness of the DOST-developed Mosquito Ovicidal-Larvicidal (OL) trap, inspired by President Aquino’s state of the nation address (SONA) saying that Filipino scientists are rigorous about testing anti-dengue gadgets.

DOST continues to promote the use of the OL traps for the public, especially in places affected by dengue and it has shown impact in reducing dengue incidence in the country ever since its roll out last year.

DOST partnered with the Departments of Education and Health to distribute OL trap kits to public elementary and high school classrooms in 31 provinces identified by the DOH in order to further extend its benefit, a press statement.

DOST’s school-based OL trap program aims to reduce mosquito population in schools and communities through the use of the OL trap, which will subsequently decrease dengue incidents.

DOST is currently intensifying its information and education campaign in public schools and communities, distributing different materials designed to increase awareness on the OL Trap and its proper use.

Comics written in Filipino and in several vernaculars will be distributed to the regions in the country to raise the knowledge of on dengue and the OL Trap.

Posters featuring the different steps in using the OL trap will also be distributed soon to every public school classroom.

“Findings have shown that schoolchildren are most vulnerable to dengue, this is because of the Aedes’ mosquito’s nature of feeding during daytime and flying low, plus it gets attracted to sweaty skin,” DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said.

We then have to fight dengue where it is most rampant, Montejo added.

For its first tranche, DOST has delivered about half a million OL trap kits nationwide. Along with the kits are brochures on how to properly use the traps to get the best results.

DOST through its National Capitol Region office also conducts seminar-trainings for teacher-coordinators on the procedures of using the OL Trap and preparing monitoring reports, plus more information on dengue and other anti-dengue initiatives of the government. (DOST/RJB/JRCA-PIA NCR)