Raising larvae-eating guppy fish can help contain the spread of dengue, according to a recent joint study piloted in Laos and Cambodia by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The study reveals that introducing guppy fish into water storage tanks can reduce the number of larvae, which grow into mosquitoes able to bite humans and transmit dengue.
Therefore, the ADB will make available more than 1 million USD to implement the guppy fish-raising project in other Asia-Pacific countries.
According to the WHO, about 2.5 billion people worldwide are at risk of getting dengue, of whom 70 percent live in the Asia-Pacific region. Dengue kills 20,000 people each year.
The study says that rapid urbanisation and the growing use of non-biodegradable packaging have led to rising numbers of dengue cases.-VNA
The study reveals that introducing guppy fish into water storage tanks can reduce the number of larvae, which grow into mosquitoes able to bite humans and transmit dengue.
Therefore, the ADB will make available more than 1 million USD to implement the guppy fish-raising project in other Asia-Pacific countries.
According to the WHO, about 2.5 billion people worldwide are at risk of getting dengue, of whom 70 percent live in the Asia-Pacific region. Dengue kills 20,000 people each year.
The study says that rapid urbanisation and the growing use of non-biodegradable packaging have led to rising numbers of dengue cases.-VNA
