In different cemeteries: Group calls for proper disposal of garbage

CEBU, Philippines - The Ecowaste Coalition  urged cemetery administrators and the general public to observe ecological waste management to help cut mosquito breeding sites and fight the dreaded Zika virus.

The waste and pollution watchdog has expressed concern that reckless waste management in cemeteries before, during and after Undas may create breeding places for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can transmit not only Zika virus but also chikungunya and dengue.

"If we are not cautious on how we handle our discards, particularly used food, water and flower containers, our cemeteries may end up becoming giant breeding sites for these mosquitoes," Aileen Lucero, the coalition's  national coordinator said in a statement.

Lucero said that containers not properly disposed may collect rainwater that will later become stagnant, providing a place where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

Aside from observing ecological waste management for mosquito control, the coalition also advised the public to only use mosquito repellent products that have undergone evaluation by the Food and Drugs Administration for safety, efficacy and quality.

Citing information from a booklet recently published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the group urged the public to consider the safety tips from the agency when buying and using mosquito repellent products.

The booklet says that the public should use only FDA-registered mosquito repellent products, not to use the product for other purposes apart from their intended ones, among others.

It added that FDA-registered mosquito repellent products, though proven to be safe under normal foreseeable conditions of use, still contain active ingredients that can be hazardous to health when mishandled. (FREEMAN)