Filipino Fishery Expert advocates Biological Solution to Fight Dengue

Mosquito fish - It is known locally in Pangasinan as “Itar” or “Tuyong” in Ilocano and “Katapa” in Tagalog. Generally, males reach 1.5 in (3.8 cm) and females 2.5 in (6.4 cm). These fish are a livebearer species, and as such, the females are larger and more rounded than the males. //february06,2018//Dagupancity,Pangasinan//jojo riñoza/manila bulletin

Dagupan City, Pangasinan – With controversies surrounding the Dengue vaccine - Dengvaxia and increasing number of suspected dengue cases in Pangasinan, Fisheries expert at the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources  (BFAR-NIFTDC) advocates for the use of a “biological” but cheaper way to battle the virus-carrying mosquito.

Increasing Dengue cases

In a recent report of the Provincial Heath Office (PHO), over 534 suspected cases of dengue were recorded in the province since January 1 to February 5. This is 300% higher compared to the same period last year.

Ten (10) towns and cities are gravely affected and placed in the dengue watch list. Urdaneta City has the higher incidence with 82 cases and 1 death followed by Binmaley with 40 cases and also 1 death reported. Other places in the watch list are Santa Barbara, Lingayen, Mangaldan, Binalonan, Pozzorubio, Asingan, San Carlos City and Bayambang.

“Ngayon po wala naman po tayong idinedeklarang epidemya dahil wala naman pong clustering of cases at iniimbistigahan pa namin itong mga kaso, tinitingnan naming kung ito ay magkakatabi o sa iisang barangay lamang” (We are not declaring an epidemic because we haven’t seen any clustering of cases and we are still investigating if the cases are clustered in a certain area or village) PHO Chief Dr. Ana De Guzman said.

 

Technicians at the BFAR-NIFTDC catch some mosquito fish on their pond.    

Biological solution

On the other hand, BFAR-NIFTDC Chief Dr. Westly Rosario is pushing for the use of mosquitofish in areas where mosquitos breed their larvae and are susceptible to carry the deadly dengue virus.

With all these worries surrounding dengue, “it is important to let the people know that we have a kind of fish that can live in places where the  mosquitos breed and this for free, says Rosario.

It is known locally in Pangasinan as “Itar” or “Tuyong” in Ilocano and “Katapa” in Tagalog. Generally, males reach 1.5 in (3.8 cm) and females 2.5 in (6.4 cm). These fish are a livebearer species, and as such, the females are larger and more rounded than the males.

Mosquitofish eats large amount of mosquito larvae that can reduce mosquito population and reduce the prevalence of diseases spread by mosquitos. They are known natural predators of mosquitos and were used in other countries to eradicate mosquito-born diseases like Malaria.

In 2012, Dr. Rosario introduced the mosquitofish in Pangasinan as an alternative biological solution to battle the growing occurrence of dengue in the province. But this was met with opposing views from the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) claiming that mosquitofish is an “invasive specie” and can be a threat to the environment.

Rosario explained, “although it is true that the mosquitofish is invasive in nature, it has been with us for so many decades and never it became a problem and for an instance, a threat to the environment.”

“In some parts of the country, it actually turn out to be a food source for some people. It is also at the food chain of many bird species,” he added.

He added that “Tilapia is also invasive and yet it is at the top 2 of the Fish of Economic Importance of the Philippines. Tahong (mussels) is also invasive specie, but it’s the top shellfish produce of the country.”

 

Technicians at the BFAR-NIFTDC catch some mosquito fish on their pond.    

“It is how you define invasive in a positive or negative way. For me, the mosquitos-spreading deadly diseases are more “invasive” than the mosquitofish. So the question is “who is the better invasive specie?” asks Rosario.

Rosario said mosquitofish can easily breed and anybody can avail it from us at the center, for free. It should be reintroduced systematically and in strategic areas to be more effective against dengue and other mosquito-born diseases.

Areas with high concentration of people like schools and communities with abandoned water ponds, canals; areas where water is stagnant and where dengue has been prevalent should be a priority.