DOST 12 intensifies OL trap distribution in schools

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Friday 17th of August 2012

KORONADAL CITY, Aug 17 (PIA) -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 12 has intensified its campaign against the dengue virus in Region 12 with the distribution of ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) traps in elementary and secondary schools.

DOST 12 said the agency has already distributed 11,270 OL traps, which were installed in nearly 5,600 classrooms in North Cotabato.

A total of 1,454 kits were distributed to schools in Kidapawan City, and 9,816 kits to schools in the 17 municipalities of the province.

Each classroom was provided with two OL trap kits consisting of a black plastic cup, organic pellets, and lawanit paddle.

Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof-Laidan, regional director of DOST 12, said the distribution of OL traps is part of the department’s school-based program to reduce dengue-carrying mosquitoes that may infect children.

Before the kits were dispersed to classrooms, coordinators from the Department of Education (DepEd) were oriented on the installation, management and maintenance of OL traps.

OL traps have been proven effective to limit increase of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and resulted in the reduction of dengue cases in areas where these were installed and properly managed.

The OL trap assembly attracts female mosquitoes to lay eggs inside the plastic cup where the water is mixed with the organic compound. The mixture prevents the eggs and larva from maturing. It is placed where mosquitoes usually congregate and breed.

This technology was developed by DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute.

Latest data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH)-12 said North Cotabato already has reported 991 cases since the beginning of this year, 74 percent higher than the number of cases same period last year.

North Cotabato’s dengue cases comprised almost 42 percent of the 2,372 cases in the entire Soccsksargen Region.

Aside from DepEd, the OL trap distribution project of DOST 12 has also gained support from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and many local government units (LGU) in the region.

In 2011, DOST 12 handed 8,000 OL traps to LGUs, including the cities of General Santos and Koronadal, as well as the towns of Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato and Alabel after the official launching of the OL trap during the regional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in August in General Santos City.

For this year, DOST aims to distribute 435,000 OL traps to cover all public school classrooms all over the country. (DED-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY August 17 (PIA) - The regional office of the Department of Science and Technology has intensified its campaign against the feared dengue virus in Region 12 with the distribution of ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) traps in elementary and secondary schools.

A report from DOST 12 said that recently the agency has already distributed 11,270 OL traps, which were installed in nearly 5,600 classrooms in North Cotabato.

One thousand four hundred fifty-four (1,454) kits were distributed to schools in Kidapawan City and a total of 9,816 kits to schools in the 17 municipalities of the province.

Each classroom was provided with two OL trap kits consisting of a black plastic cup, organic pellets, and lawanit paddle.

Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof-Laidan, regional director of DOST 12, said the distribution of OL traps is part of the department’s school-based program to reduce the population of dengue-carrying mosquitoes that may infect children.

Before the kits were dispersed to classrooms, coordinators from the Department of Education (DepEd) were oriented on the installation, management and maintenance of the OL traps.

OL traps have been proven effective to limit increase in population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which resulted in the reduction of dengue in areas where these are installed and properly managed.

The OL trap assembly attracts female mosquitoes to lay eggs inside the plastic cup where the water is mixed with the organic compound. The mixture prevents the eggs and larva from maturing. It is placed where mosquitoes usually congregate and breed.

This technology was developed by DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute.

Latest data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH)-12 said that North Cotabato already has reported 991 cases since the beginning of this year, 74% higher that the number of cases in the same time last year.

North Cotabato’s dengue cases comprised almost 42 percent of the 2,372 cases in the entire Soccsksargen Region.

Aside from DepEd, the OL trap distribution project of DOST 12 has also gained support from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and many local government units in the region.

In 2011, DOST 12 handed 8,000 OL traps to LGUs, including the cities of General Santos and Koronadal as well as the towns of Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato and Alabel after the official launching of the OL trap during the regional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in August in General Santos City.

For this year, DOST aims to distribute 435,000 OL traps to cover all public school classrooms all over the country. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)