10 more areas to get Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes

(BRIEF CAPTION) MBPP woker carries out fogging to kill aedes mosquitoes at backlane area near Macalister Road in George Town, Penang. A total of 50,511 dengue cases and 88 fatalities were recorded in Malaysia from Jan 1 to June 13 this year. Pic by: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star/ 22 July 2020

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 10 new areas have been proposed for the release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes to address the dengue issue in the country, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this was proposed at yesterday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee to Combat Dengue, adding that it would cost RM4mil annually.

He said since 2019, Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes had been released in 32 localities in seven states, with a positive impact in 19 localities.

“Assessments on the effectiveness show that dengue cases have decreased by 45% to 100%, compared with before the release,” he said in a statement read by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Ahmad Zahid said details on the release were being ironed out with the state governments where the proposed areas are located, Bernama reported.

“We are discussing with the states because we want to (implement) it, especially in Selangor. We will discuss it more precisely because in the end it involves the community,” he said, adding that the Cabinet Committee had also proposed the involvement of local authorities.