Mosquito fish seen to curb rise in dengue cases —BFAR

A species of fish may be used as a biological control agent against mosquito larvae amid the rise of dengue cases in the country, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Dagupan.

According to a report by Mav Gonzales in GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Tuesday, mosquito fish feed on mosquito larvae and are being used in Dagupan, Pangasinan to prevent dengue.

"Since 'yung dengue nasa tubig, naghanap ako ng isda na pwede panglaban sa dengue. Ang nakita ko ay 'yung mosquito fish," Director Westley Rosario, chief of BFAR Dagupan, said.

"Actually, dinala ito ng mga Amerikano nung panahon ng giyera. Ito ay na-introduce sa more than 30 countries around the world to fight malaria," he added.

Mosquito fish easily thrive even in dirty canals.

Rosario said it has not been proven to be harmful and invasive.

"Wala pa namang nagsabi o research na nagsabi na 'yung mosquito fish ay nakasakit sa tao, nakasakit sa ibang aquatic fauna. Bagkus ito ay nagiging pagkain ng iba't ibang aquatic animals, lizards, ducks, etc.," he said.

The Department of Education is coordinating with BFAR on the proposed introduction of mosquito fish in school canals and drainages.

The Department of Health, on the other hand, said that a study should be conducted.

"Hindi pa natin naaaral... We can work with DOST kasi nagdedevelop talaga sila ng mga anti-larva na mechanisms natin," said DOH Usec. Eric Domingo.

"Kung mayroong isda na kakain ng mga kiti-kiti ay very welcome naman ang use niyan," he added.

On Tuesday, the DOH declared a national dengue epidemic after dengue cases in the country reached 146,062  from January 1 to July 20, 2019 which is 98 percent higher than the record in the same period last year. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News