Philippine Village Offers Mosquito Bounties to Combat Dengue Surge

Addition Hills in Manila launches a unique initiative to curb a 40% rise in dengue cases this year by paying residents for captured mosquitoes.

The Addition Hills village in Mandaluyong City is offering one peso for every five mosquitoes or larvae turned in by residents, as dengue cases rise sharply in the Philippines.
The country has recorded 28,234 dengue cases so far this year, a 40% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with multiple areas declaring outbreaks, including nearby Quezon City.
Critics warn the mosquito bounty program could backfire if individuals start breeding mosquitoes for financial gain, though village leaders plan to halt the initiative once cases decline.
Health officials emphasize the importance of cleaning mosquito breeding sites and using preventive measures like insect repellents, as intermittent rains and climate change contribute to stagnant water pools.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, has led to 10 deaths in Quezon City this year, mostly children, and symptoms range from fever to severe complications like organ failure.