Rainy season is here, so are mosquitoes

RAIN is more frequent now, that’s expected because it’s June, the start of the rainy season. Mosquitoes are increasing in numbers as well. Let us all heighten the 4 o’clock habit to clean up and remove all possible breeding ground for mosquitoes.

By now, everyone is aware of the danger of dengue. It’s made worse by the scandal involving Dengvaxia, and dengue vaccination steeped in corruption and now threatens the lives of almost a million.

The collective action to stamp out all mosquito breeding grounds is thus more important than ever. The threat is real.

Mosquitoes carry the virus, and are the vectors from infected humans to other humans throughout its lifetime.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the virus carrier, lives in urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers. It is a daytime feeder, unlike other mosquitoes, and as such, its peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk. It is during its feeding period when the female Aedes aegypti bites people.

Thus, in the off-chance that there are still mosquitoes flying around, it’s best to protect oneself too, by using mosquito repellents when cleaning up the surroundings or going through areas where mosquitoes abound.

The warning is even of greater importance these days because with the reduction in infections since the start of the year, getting dengue and dengue prevention might no longer be top of mind.

True, we have all reason to rejoice that no less than the Department of Health 11 has reported a big reduction from January to April 14, 2018 with just 761 compared to 1,514 cases in the same period last year, but we have to remember that for as long as there are mosquitoes and they are allowed to breed, the risk of the disease is there, along with other vector-borne diseases like Chikungunya.

The rains are here and so are the mosquitoes. It’s time to clean up and be mindful of one’s surroundings.