The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) believes that the mosquito fish, better known as “itar” or “kataba” in local dialect, is a big help in lowering down the number of people being infected with dengue virus.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) has declared national dengue epidemic because of the rising number of people infected with the disease.
Dr. Westly Rosario, BFAR-NIFTDC chief, explains to Bombo Radyo Dagupan the importance of the now controversial the larvae eating fish known as mosquito fish in addressing the dengue problem.
According to the official, the itar or kataba is usually seen in drainage canals and it grows to about 7 cm. It eats mosquito larvae (kiti-kiti) that carries dengue virus.
Dr. Rosario adds that the fish can survive in dirty water bodies, so it can be put in drainage canals where mosquitos usually lay their eggs.
The mosquito fish was first identified by other countries, such as America and Europe, because it greatly helped in preventing the spread of malaria, another mosquito-carried disease.
BFAR has already distributed itar in several schools in Dagupan City, and the agency is again encouraging schools, homes and barangays to acquire mosquito fish to help prevent the occurrence of dengue in their locality.
