Zulkifli Jantan
SIBU: A new larviciding technique to curb the spread of dengue fever is on trial here for the first time in Sarawak.
State Health director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan disclosed yesterday that the technique used bacterial spores known as BTI to kill the larvae of the Aedes mosquito.
When the BTI spores are eaten by mosquito larvae, the toxins released caused the larvae to stop eating and die.
“BTI is used as a trial in Sibu starting last year as fogging has not been very effective,” Dr Zulkifli told The Borneo Post.
Meanwhile, Public Health Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil had described Precinct 7 in Bukit Assek that had many abandoned houses serving as breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes as a ‘dengue time bomb’.
Dr Zulkifli said other measures included search and destroy the breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, especially effective if the whole community was mobilised to join in.
There is also enforcement of the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insect Act (DDBIA) and Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi), which is community mobilisation that has been implemented in Bukit Assek area to tackle dengue.
It can never be overemphasised that a sense of responsibility has to be instilled in the community to make concerted efforts to eradicate the Aedes mosquito.
According to information from the dengue website, four dengue cases were reported in Sarawak on Feb 4. The cumulative figure from Jan 1 to Feb 4 this year was 221 cases.
Dr Zulkifli reiterated the department’s call for the public to spend 10 minutes a week to search and destroy the breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito in their areas.
He reminded the public to properly dispose of unwanted receptacles and anything that could collect water.
Symptoms of dengue include high fever, headache, gastric pains, muscle pains and sometimes rashes.
He advised those feeling unwell to seek immediate medical attention.
The Mosquito Magnet project, an initiative by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to curb the dengue scourge, would be implemented in several key areas here.
SMC deputy chairman Dato Andrew Wong said the number of Aedes mosquito caught via this project was close to 50 per cent.
The device uses the Counterflor System technology where a powerful suction system is utilised to vacuum mosquitoes into a net, where the trapped insects would die from dehydration within 24 hours.
Wong said another approach under the Dengue Eradication Project involved extensive drain clearing up to 131,800m in dengue hotspots.