New Dengue Threat and Green Cross Insect Repellant

I have not had dengue or any close relatives who had dengue, so far. I just hear about dengue outbreaks from the news or a friend's friend having dengue.

I know there's a threat but I haven't been as vigilant as I am supposed to be until last week when I attended the media conference organized by Green Cross.

Changing Environment means Bigger Threat

One of the conference's highlight was the cityscaping of nearby provinces and remaining forests around Metro Manila. Deforestation, initiated by conversion or development of urban cities, has displaced certain mosquito species such as the Aedes Albopictus from their natural environment while globalization has helped the spread of mosquito species around the world.

A further threat was that Aedes Albopictus is a newly known mosquito vector carrying the dengue virus aside from the commonly known Aedes Aegypti.

Aedes Albopictus is generally considered as an all-day biter

What makes the Albopictus more dangerous is that it is generally considered as an all-day biter (day and night) based on recent research according to the preliminary study by Philippine Association of Entomologists, Inc (PAE). The preliminary study was based on the biting activity of Aedes Albopictus under laboratory conditions by Ms. Bambi Caoli (Secretary of PAE), EA Magsino and FD Alzona in 2011.

These means that there is a threat of mosquito breeding spreading further in the cities and more vigilance is necessary. The risk of acquiring dengue is also heightened since we are now at risk both day and night.

Green Cross also partnered with relevant institutions for education and awareness such as PAE. They also expressed full support on government's drive against dengue.

Key Preventive Measures Against Dengue

The conference suggested the following key preventive measures:

1. Vector Control

• Eradicate all potential water vessels for breeding of mosquitos: plastic containers, tires, trash, pots, etc.

2 Personal Protection

• Wear protective clothing when mosquitoes are active
• Personal repellant that is clinically proven effective against daytime and nighttime biting mosquitoes.

Key Preventive Measures Against Dengue

Dr. Bambi Caoli of PAE (2nd from left) and the Green Cross Team

It is at this point wherein Green Cross suggested their newly developed product Green Cross Active Protect insect repellant lotion which repels day and night mosquitoes. Coming in two types - Antibacterial and Family Protect are both described as 'anti-dengue and hypoallergenic.'

Green Cross Active Protect

Green Cross Insect Repellant Lotion

Green Cross Family Protect

Green Cross Insect Repellant

The Antibacterial type protects for a maximum of 10 hours while the Family Protect is milder at 4 hours. Green Cross said that they are focusing their campaign to moms and kids. I haven't tried both Green Cross insect repellants but hopefully it is as effective as it claims to be. It will be a good protection for the whole family against dengue which is really dangerous to life and health, aside from the fact that the disease is costly.