Aedes Wolbachia-Mosquito Released To Head Off Dengue Fever In Terendak - Melaka Exco

MELAKA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The use of biological control through the Aedes Wolbachia mosquito release programme in hot spot localities is expected to be the best preventive method in dealing with the increase in dengue fever cases in densely populated regions of the state.

State Health, Human Resources and Unity exco Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said this includes the Taming Sari Army Housing area at Terendak Camp in Sungai Udang here, which is now one of the hotspots of dengue fever outbreak when seven cases were recorded as of Epidemiological Week 34 (EW34) this year compared to six cases in 2023.

“Therefore, immediate intervention measures were carried out by the State Health Department with the Taming Sari Army Housing area selected as the third locality for the Aedes Wolbachia mosquito release project in Melaka after taking into account the frequency of cases and outbreaks as well as the building structure and geography there," he said.

He said this after officiating at the Aedes Wolbachia Mosquito Release event at Terendak Camp in Sungai Udang here today, which was also attended by State Health director Dr Ruzita Mustafa and Division 3 Artillery Commander Brigadier-General Datuk Khairul Izan Muhammad Suffian.

He said for the project in the locality, a total of 12,400 Aedes Wolbachia mosquitoes will be freed (into the air) for each release that will be carried out starting on Oct 14 and ending in November 2026 through 30 releases over the course of the two years and six weeks.

He clarified that the biological warfare is expected to have a positive impact as achieved in two localities previously, at Taman Bemban Jaya in Jasin where until now no cases have been reported while Taman Tasik Utama Apartments has shown a significant reduction of cases by 79 per cent since it was implemented in October 2023.

In the same development, Ngwe explained that a total of 1,811 dengue cases were registered in Melaka for the 40th Epid Week that ended on Oct 5 and the number showed an increase of 915 cases or 102.12 per cent compared to the same period last year which was 896 cases recorded while two deaths were registered so far.

He said the number was worrying especially when two deaths involved adult patients in early March in Jasin and Melaka Tengah in October, compared to no deaths reported the year before.

“For that, we expect support from all parties, especially the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) here to help bring this locality out of the grip of dengue fever for the good of the population at large.

“At a time when existing prevention methods such as mutual cooperation and the destruction of habitat must always be carried out to ensure that there are no more mosquito breeding grounds in the home and work environment,” he said. 

--BERNAMA