MANILA, Philippines - Who said accessories are only for aesthetic purposes?

A number of items said to help fashion-conscious youth stay in style while preventing mosquito bites abound in the country today. This as dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, continues to threaten public health in the Philippines.

A shop called Proud Mama currently offers funky clothing accessories that double as insect repellents.

From colorful wristbands and patches to socks and playsleeves (pieces of cloth that keep limbs warm), these products contain Citronella scent, which is said to drive mosquitoes away.

There's also the PermaNET, a modern take on the mosquito net known locally as the kulambo.

First used in Africa, the curtain made from polyester is said to not just repel, but kill mosquitoes for 5 years.

The product has been approved by the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization, and is said to be safe for pregnant mothers and infants.

Dengue fever is an acute illness caused by a bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito. In the Philippines, dengue fever usually occurs during the rainy season, or from June to September.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, rashes, severe muscle pain, and a drop in platelet count. In extreme cases, hemorrhaging and death may follow.

A total of 54,659 cases of dengue fever have been recorded this year in the Philippines, with 465 deaths across the country.

The DOH estimates that the number of cases may rise to 80,000 by year-end.