QUEZON CITY—Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric A. Tayag campaigned for searching, cleaning and destroying spots where dengue mosquitoes breed.

Tayag said cleaning the surroundings must be accompanied with searching and destroying areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs to inhibit further reproduction.

He said dengue could be prevented if the mosquito breeding sites are destroyed. “Kung hindi sila nanganganak, walang lamok, walang magkaka-dengue,” he said.

Tayag explained that a single female mosquito can lay over 200 eggs at once that can last up to five years even if it they are left on a dry place. When rain comes and the eggs are mixed with water, the eggs will hatch and become wigglers within 48 hours. They will then develop into mosquitoes in a span of one week. Female mosquitoes usually lay their eggs in places with clean, stagnant water.

Tayag advised the public to keep water containers properly covered. Old tires and tin cans must be filled with soil, recycled or disposed properly.

As of August 6, around 45,333 dengue cases are reported nationwide, Tayag said. This pushed the Department of Health, research bureaus, local government units, and the Department of Science and Technology to do strategic dengue control.

One of these programs is the “ABKD” or “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue,” a back-to-basics campaign in barangays to ensure a dengue-free environment.