The Department of Science and Technology will kick off the national roll-out of the Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal (OL) trap system in Balyuan Convention Center , Tacloban City on February 19.
The DOST-developed mosquito OL trap system is a simple device that helps reduce the number of the female Aedes aegypti, the dengue virus carrying mosquito, by killing its eggs trapped in the lawanit strip of the trap.
“This activity starts the ball rolling for our technology initiatives in curbing dengue,” DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo said.
DOST will distribute 2,800 kits to identified household participants in Leyte during the launch. Said households will use the OL trap for a period of six months.
The Department of Health, as partner institution, coordinated with local government units for the identification of participants.
DOST, through the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), will distribute 200,000 mosquito OL Trap kits nationwide. Each household participant will receive four complete sets of OL trap kit and six-month supply of organic OL trap pellets.
DOST likewise allocated 2,800 kits for each of the 17 regions including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, except NCR which will receive 5,200 kits because of the high number of dengue cases.
“This shows that the government is really bent on reducing the number of dengue cases in the country,” Secretary Montejo added. “In fact, the DOST is in synergy with the Department of Health, both agencies are working very hard in coming up with solutions to fight dengue.”
Laboratory and field testing in Marikina and Quezon City showed positive results.
Meanwhile Secretary Montejo urges communities to participate and support the project. “This is our fight, we hope that in the end we can overcome the dreaded virus that has put many into sufferings and mourning.” (Joy Lazcano, S&T Media Service)
