Philippine Town Offers Bounty on Mosquitoes to Combat Dengue Fever

The campaign incentivizes residents to capture mosquitoes and larvae, but experts warn of potential unintended consequences.

Barangay Addition Hills, a suburb of Manila, launched a program paying one Philippine Peso for every five mosquitoes or larvae collected.
The initiative aims to reduce the spread of dengue fever, which has surged in the Philippines with over 28,000 cases and 21 deaths reported nationwide since January.
Local authorities hope the campaign raises awareness about the importance of maintaining clean environments to prevent mosquito breeding.
Critics caution about a potential 'cobra effect,' where individuals might exploit the program by breeding mosquitoes for financial gain.
Dengue fever, commonly known as 'bone-breaker disease,' causes symptoms like high fever, body pain, and rashes, with severe cases leading to internal bleeding and death.