Islamic City of Marawi (3 August) -- An environmental approach resorting to proper environmental and solid waste management should be made to control the spread of dengue.
This was stressed by Professor Danilo C. Mero of the Mindanao State University (MSU)-College of Forestry and Environmental Studies during the launching of Never On Waste-Drive Against Dengue (NOW DAD!) campaign held recently here.
He said environmental management seeks to change the environment in order to prevent or minimize vector propagation and human contact with the vector-pathogen by destroying, altering, removing or recycling non-essential containers that provide larval habitats.
Such actions, he added, should be the mainstay of dengue vector or Aedes aegyptia control.
According to the MSU Professor, there are three types of environmental management actions to control immature stages of Aedes aegyptia.
The first type is environmental modification which involves long-lasting physical transformations to reduce vector larval habitats such as installation of a reliable piped water supply to communities, including household connections.
"Improvement in, and maintenance of, urban infrastructure and basic services contribute to the reduction in larval habitats since large Aedes aegypti populations are often associated with poor water supply and inadequate sanitation and waste disposal services," he further said.
The second type is environmental manipulation which relates to temporary changes to vector habitats involving the management of "essential" containers, such as frequent emptying and cleaning by scrubbing of water-storage vessels, flower vases and desert room coolers; cleaning of gutters; sheltering stored tires from rainfall; recycling or proper disposal of discarded containers and tires; and management or removal from the vicinity of homes of plants such as ornamental or wild bromeliads that collect water in the leaf axils.
The third type meanwhile refers to changes to human habitation or behavior involving actions to reduce human-vector contact, such as installing mosquito screening on windows, doors and other entry points and using mosquito nets while sleeping during daytime.
Moreover, Professor Mero said that reducing the amount of solid waste in urban environment and applying many of the basic principles of solid waste management can contribute substantially to reducing the availability of Aedes aegypti larval habitats.
"Proper storage, collection and disposal of waste are essential for protecting public health," he cited.
Mero further stressed that a reliable and regular street cleansing system that removes discarded water-bearing containers and cleans drains to ensure they do not become stagnant and breed mosquitoes will both help reduce larval habitats of Aedes aegypti.
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