Aedes Aegypti mosquito. CDC 

MANILA — As the vector-borne disease filled the news cycle this week, some local governments have taken innovative measures in the hopes of controlling the spread of mosquitoes in communities. 

Among the measures, releasing frogs and even giving out rewards for the turnover of the insects and their larvae.

While these measures have yet to be proven effective, the Department of Health understands the intent of these local governments. 

Coupled with worry about the illness that has already claimed lives, the public is cautioned against practicing other measures and believing old sayings about the dengue virus.

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Here is a list of dengue-related myths corrected by Mandaluyong City Health Office’s Dengue Program Coordinator Dr. Ricky Castillo:

Myth 1: You can only get dengue once

No, it’s not like chickenpox.

Dengue has four serotypes and being bit by a mosquito carrying one of the serotype exposes your immune system to only that.

“Generally, 90 percent ng dengue, hindi siya magpaparamdam na dengue siya, it’s other flu-like symtpoms. Pwede kayong gumaling don. Ang problema pag, pag nagkaroon kayo ng second bout ng dengue,” Castillo said. 

(Generally 90 percent of dengue won’t really manifest severely the first time. It’s just other flu-like symptoms and you will recover. The problem is if you have a second bout with dengue.)

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Department of Health spokesperson Albert Domingo also explained that since the body has been “primed” to attack the virus, being bit a second time can show worse signs.

"Lalakasan niya ang response niya. Kaya severe ang manifestations ang second bite,” Domingo said.

(The body’s response will more aggressive which is why there are times of severe manifestation after the second bite.)

The good news is dengue doesn’t have to be at all fatal. 

If an individual has previously had dengue and symptoms manifest especially during an outbreak or a period when infections are rising, it would be best to get tested for the virus for early management of the disease.

Myth 2: Dengue patients can pass the virus to another person, so it’s best to stay away from them

While it is true that dengue can be passed on to another person, it is a misconception that a person can contract the virus by staying close to an infected person.

Dengue is a vector-borne disease which means the virus needs a vector that will transport it to a host, in this case a mosquito. 

But Dr. Castillo explained that it’s not just any mosquito.

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“Usually ang transmission ng dengue nakukuha sa pagkagat ng babaeng lamok na infected ng dengue virus. Ang babae lang po ang nangangat kasi ang antenna nila patusok, sa lalaki pataas. Ang role lang ng lalaking lamok ay magreporduce.” 

(The virus is usually transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito infected by the virus. Only female mosquitoes bite because their antennae are pointing downwards while those of males are upwards. The only role of male mosquitoes is to reproduce.) 

infected Aedes mosquitoes are the main culprits for the spread of dengue.

However, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention said a woman infected during pregnancy can also pass the virus to her fetus. 

The virus has also been found in breast milk. But because of the benefits of breastfeeding, it is still possible for a mother to breastfeed even with the suspicion of a dengue infection.

Myth 3: Dengue-carrying mosquitoes only bite at night

Dengue-carrying mosquitoes are known to be day biters. This means they bite from sun up to sun down. 

Castillo said these mosquitoes are most active from 6 a.m. to 9.a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

This is why parents are encouraged to give their children adequate protection through the use of repellants and protective clothing, especially when they are in schools.

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Local governments have said while cases of infections in residential communities are common, parents whose children have fallen ill from the virus also suspect that they contracted the virus while in school  or elsewhere.

Myth 4: Dengue-carrying mosquitoes lay their eggs in filthy water

Quite the opposite actually. The aedes mosquito prefers to lay their eggs in stagnant and clean water.

At home, these may be just about anything which holds water such as flower vases, the bottom parts of refrigerators and water dispensers, dish drying trays and even small caps of bottled water.

The proliferation of eggs, larvae and mosquitoes are even greater in communities with poor management of garbage as these may collect water that serve as the perfect places for mosquitoes to breed.

Experts have repeatedly called on the public to search and destroy potential mosquito breeding sites not only through cleaning their surroundings but ensuring that stagnant water is cleared or often replaced.

“We’re not saying that you should not keep flower vases. But at least change the  water every two days to prevent the possibility of mosquitoes using these as places to lay their eggs,” Castillo said.

Myth 5: Dengue is the only disease you can get from mosquitoes

Dengue is just one of the myriad of diseases that a person can get from a tiny, often times ignored, mosquito bite.

According to the World Health Organization, at least a dozen types of diseases can be caused by different mosquito species. 

Aside from dengue, the Aedes can also transmit chikungunya, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever and zika.

The Anopheles species on the other hand can trasmit malaria and the O’nyong’nyong virus; while the Culex species can cause Japanese encephalitis and West Nile fever.

These diseases are caused by a virus.

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The three different mosquito species can also transmit a parasite that can lead to lymphatic filariasis more commonly known as elephantiasis or the abnormal enlargement of body parts thereby causing severe pain and disability.

Myth 6: Dengue can be managed by antibiotics and medicinal plants

While there have been debates on the use of tawa-tawa as a means to manage and treat dengue patients, the Department of Health, in general does not encourage the use of medicinal plants as a form of treatment.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, scientific studies have shown that the plant is “rich in bioactive compounds like phenolics and flavonoids which may be responsible for its anti-dengue properties.”

The DOST, through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, has funded projects under the Tuklas Lunas Program to study the tawa-tawa as treatment for dengue.

Because dengue is caused by a virus, experts advise against the intake antibiotics which are effective against bacterial infections.

“Yung pag inom ng antibiotic, hindi namin ine-encourage ang paginom especially ng acetaminophens kasi may pagaaral na mas lalong nagiinduce ng pagdurugo,” Castillo said.

(We don’t encourage using antibiotics for dengue and especially acetaminophens because studies have shown that they induce further bleeding.)

Dengue situation

Data from the DOH show that from January to February 15, 2025 the number of infections has reached almost 44,000 or 56 percent higher compared to the same period in 2024.

However, it noted around a 5% decline in new cases in at least the last two weeks.

While other provinces outside Luzon are also observing an upward trend in infections, Calabarzon, the National Capital Region, and Central Luzon remain to be the regions which have logged the highest number of infections.

Among the warning signs of dengue are fever, abdominal pain, and bleeding either through the nose or gums. 

Health experts said that individuals, especially parents, need not wait for all warning signs to manifest. One warning sign, especially during an outbreak or increasing infection rates, is enough to warrant high suspicion for the disease.

“All government hospitals and health facilities have been directed to reactivate their Dengue fast lanes to ensure expedited triage, diagnoses, and treatment of suspected Dengue cases,” Domingo said.

Because of increased public awareness on dengue and the availability of rapid tests and early surveillance in primary care facilities, experts are already expecting the continuous detection of the disease among individuals.

Early detection and management, they said, is the only way to manage the disease and prevent its devastating impact on one’s health.