EDITORIAL - Prevention before the cure

With the rains come relief for parched farmlands, and an end to fears of water rationing in crowded cities. With the rains also come mosquitoes, and all the diseases that they bring, just in time for the opening of classes. Children are among the most vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases particularly dengue.

The mosquito that carries the dengue virus is endemic in much of tropical Southeast Asia. Hemorrhagic or breakbone fever, when detected early and given medical attention, can be made to dissipate. Misdiagnosed, the disease can be fatal. Dengue has killed thousands of people across Southeast Asia and in other warm regions of the planet.

A week ago the Philippines joined the observance of ASEAN Dengue Day with hopes that a vaccine is in sight. Overlooked for a long time by pharmaceutical giants based in cooler climates, dengue is finally getting the attention that it deserves from researchers. Pharmaceutical firms are now rushing to be the first to put an anti-dengue vaccine on the market.

The much-anticipated cure, however, is still about two years away. In the meantime, the Philippines has entered another rainy season. Health officials cannot emphasize often enough that until a vaccine comes along, the best tack in battling dengue is prevention, starting with keeping surroundings clean and free of stagnant water. This is important particularly in schools where musty corners, potted plants and gardens can provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Simple measures such as the use of mosquito nets and installation of screens at home and in offices can also go a long way in keeping out mosquitoes. The government should also invest in research to come up with affordable insect repellents. Branded ones in the market are beyond the reach of the majority of Filipinos, who leave to fate the risk of mosquito bites as they wade into rice fields or sleep in rooms without screens.

The likelihood of having a dengue vaccine is welcome news. While waiting for the vaccine, however, thousands of people can still catch the disease, whose treatment is costly and can require hospitalization. Until a vaccine is launched, prevention is still the best cure for this scourge.