KUCHING, Jan 17: Four deaths resulting from complications of dengue fever were reported among the 1,091 recorded cases in Sarawak last year.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised the possible need to wage a “germ” warfare against Aedes mosquitoes, in addition to intensifying public health preventive measures to address the dengue issue in Sarawak.
Despite being the third lowest in Malaysia with only 0.9 per cent of dengue cases, he stressed the importance of proactive measures.
“In Malaysia, a total of 123,133 cases were reported last year, a significant increase from the 66,102 cases in 2022. The reported deaths due to dengue complications were 100 cases last year,” he said in a statement shared on his social media yesterday (Jan 16).
He highlighted these concerns after attending the Cabinet Committee to Combat Dengue meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Putrajaya on Monday (Jan 15). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was also present.
The meeting disclosed that Selangor reported 61,080 cases (49.6 per cent), and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur had 14,206 cases (11.5 per cent), collectively constituting 61.1 per cent of Malaysia’s cases.
“The issue is not about urbanisation being unfavourable but rather the need for greater individual responsibility in densely populated urban areas.
“Education, actions and responsibility by everyone in their own environments (home, work place, factories, construction sites, etc) supported by both state and federal agencies are essential,” Dr Sim said.
To combat the dengue issue, the Federal government proposed releasing Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes in 10 new localities, especially Selangor, with an annual implementation cost of RM4 million.
Dr Sim explained that introducing these mosquitoes would lead to the generation of “berWolbachia Aedes” offspring, which cannot lay eggs, ultimately resulting in the absence of Aedes mosquitoes.
“This is not speculation but a scientific approach in ‘germ’ warfare. The lifespan of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes is only one month and we need to release millions of them for success.
“Each adult mosquito costs RM0.40, and public education is crucial to prevent the killing of these genetically modified, costly mosquitoes,” he humorously remarked.
According to Ahmad Zahid, the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes is based on its successful implementation in 32 localities across seven states, with 19 localities demonstrating effectiveness. — DayakDaily
