Philippine Town Introduces Cash Bounty to Combat Rising Dengue Cases

As dengue cases surge in the Philippines, the village chief of Barangay Addition Hills in Manila has launched an unusual initiative—offering a cash bounty for mosquitoes. Carlito Cernal announced that residents can earn one peso (less than two cents) for every five mosquitoes collected, whether dead or alive. This initiative comes in response to recent deaths in the community due to the mosquito-borne illness. Despite facing mockery on social media, Cernal defends the measure as vital for public health and an addition to existing efforts to control mosquito populations and maintain hygiene. The Philippines' Department of Health has acknowledged these local efforts while encouraging evidence-based practices proven effective in dengue prevention.

Authorities in one of the Philippines' most densely populated urban areas are implementing an innovative approach to combat the rising threat of dengue fever. Carlito Cernal, the village chief of Barangay Addition Hills, announced a cash-for-mosquitoes program, offering residents a small reward for collecting mosquitoes in an effort to reduce the incidence of this serious disease.

The announcement comes amid a troubling increase in dengue cases, which transmit through mosquitoes, causing severe health complications and even fatalities. In Barangay Addition Hills, where nearly 70,000 people reside in a compact area of just 162 hectares, the stakes are high, especially following the tragic deaths of two local students from the disease.

The program, which will run for at least one month, allows residents to bring in both alive and dead mosquitoes, as well as their larvae, with the extermination of live specimens using ultraviolet light. To date, 21 participants have collectively collected 700 mosquitoes and larvae, showcasing some engagement with the initiative despite initial mockery on social media.

Critics have lampooned the bounty initiative, noting its potential for unintended consequences like "mosquito farming" and questioning the practicality of the rewards system. However, Cernal remains steadfast, arguing that urgent action is necessary given the densely populated and often unsanitary conditions that facilitate the disease's proliferation.

The Department of Health has responded to these local efforts, expressing appreciation for the initiatives to combat dengue while urging communities to rely on established health practices. They continue to report a wider national uptick in dengue cases due in part to seasonal rains, emphasizing preventive measures such as maintaining cleanliness, eliminating standing water, and using mosquito repellents.

As the community embarks on this unique experiment in public health, the outcome of Barangay Addition Hills' mosquito bounty program will be closely monitored, potentially influencing future strategies in the ongoing fight against dengue in the Philippines and beyond.