A New Breed

HERE comes the rainy season… and here comes dengue, too.

As reported by this paper, the Central Luzon Region is 2nd to the National Capital Region in the number of dengue cases, according to the Department of Health.

While farmers eagerly wait for the wet season which they see as the solution to their irrigation problems, so do mosquitoes which grow in number when rainclouds frequent our skies.

Because it is now the rainy season, it is also the season for dengue – which oftentimes claim the lives of those afflicted, especially children.
In Santo Tomas town, a lone casualty was already reported but 30 are infected, all from Barangay Moras Dela Paz.

Mayor Lito Naguit is doing all he can to contain the situation. Efforts have been undertaken by the municipality to abate the rise of dengue infection cases. Of course, he won’t let his constituents down by the killer virus.

A few weeks ago, the Philippine Association of Entomologists has revealed that there is too much to worry about dengue. The mosquito that carries the virus has perhaps mutated into a fiercer killer. The Aedes albopictus is actively looking for its prey 24/7, unlike the Aedes aegypti which is more familiar as the dengue-carrying mosquito and is only active during the day.

The Aedes albopictus can even thrive and lay eggs on running water, unlike the other kind of dengue carrier which breeds on stagnant water.

The new breed is more deadly as it chooses no time to bite. More serious efforts should be undertaken by households and government authorities in solving the problem on dengue.

As usual, one of the causes of the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes is rooted on the environment. Poor sanitation and dirty surroundings help mosquitoes of any type breed and propagate. Stagnant water is where we can always find them.

Those infected by the virus usually die because of hemorrhagic fever and the dengue shock syndrome. Both affect the condition of our blood once infected and if not monitored, could lead to death.

The new breed of dengue-carrying mosquito has mutated and adapted to the environment -- making it more deadly.

After watching a documentary film on dengue-carrying mosquitoes, I have learned that they formerly thrived on thick forests and deep jungles. Now that man has invaded their turf, mosquitoes were evicted from their natural habitat.

It’s their time now to get even with humans by spreading the killer virus.

The government should now undertake more drastic steps against this new breed of dengue-carrying mosquito. Its awareness program should be widely disseminated and far-reaching. Massive information drives through the media should likewise be given top priority.

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Yesterday was the birthday of Congresswoman Catalina “Lina” Bagasina of the Association of Laborers and Employees (ALE) PartyList. Let me join the many who wish her the best to come on her birthday.

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Mayoralty aspirant Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin of the 1st District of Pampanga likewise celebrated his natal day yesterday. His change of course in politics came as a surprise to many a few days ago. Happy Birthday, Cong.