Manila starts misting in public schools to curb dengue

MANILA: The city government of Manila has started its month-long misting in all public elementary and high schools to prevent the spread of dengue amid the rainy season. In a statement on Tuesday, Mayor Honey Lacuna said the Manila Health Department (MHD) misting teams started going around the city's 103 public schools on Monday. Misting and spraying will be conducted after class hours until Sept. 20. Lacuna also appealed to residents to help maintain clean surroundings and asked village officials to assist in information dissemination efforts on anti-dengue measures. 'Ang dengue ay sakit na maaring iwasan. Dala ito ng lamok pero na-iiwasan kung pananatihing malinis ang paligid. Huwag mag-iwan ng imbak na tubig. Linisin ang mga kanal dahil diyan namumugad ang mga lamok na may dalang dengue (Dengue is preventable. It is carried by mosquitoes but can be prevented if our surroundings are clean. Don't leave uncovered water containers. Clean canals as these are breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes),' she said. From July 21 to Aug. 9, the city has logged 131 dengue cases, which include 23 confirmed cases and one death. Lacuna, meanwhile, urged residents to play the "Kapitan Ligtas: Dengue Fighter." a mobile game that can be downloaded via Google Play store for free. The app is part of the city's dengue awareness campaign. Source: Philippines News agency