Metro

Saturday September 20, 2008

Students told of dengue menace


THE threat of aedes mosquito and dengue was taught in a fun and interactive way to pupils of Sekolah Sri Sedaya in Subang Jaya recently.

Instead of just notes and presentations, the anti-dengue campaign also included a quiz session that captured their attention.

Pest control brand Shieldtox had launched its Shieldtox Anti-Dengue School Campaign at the school as part of its nationwide campaign against aedes mosquitoes that was launched in April this year.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh launched the event.

Reckitt Benckiser Sdn Bhd general manager for Malaysia & Singapore Adil Ahmad said Sri Sedaya was the first of 20 schools in Subang Jaya and Shah Alam that Shieldtox had targeted for the campaign.

“We are expecting to reach out to about 20,000 students in all,” Adil said after the launch.

Down with it: Adil (left), Yeoh and Dr Shih symbolically slaying mosquitoes to launch the campaign.

“Statistics have shown that, so far, there have been close to 30,000 dengue cases reported this year, with 71 resulting in deaths.

“The Health Ministry also revealed that in the third week of August, 1,003 cases of dengue fever and four deaths were recorded nationwide, with Selangor having the highest number at 425 cases,” he added.

Yeoh said the dengue issue had always been close to her heart.

She related to the children how she had suffered from dengue while still in school.

“I had to undergo a blood transfusion and am thankful that I survived,” she said.

“It is important to be aware of the danger of dengue and immediately inform your parents and seek treatment if you are down with fever.

“Dengue does not choose and everyone is at risk,” she added.

She also asked the students to remind their parents about the 10-minute campaign on Saturdays to clean pots, drains, and any potential mosquito-breeding habitat.

Sekolah Sri Sedaya CEO Dr Shih Toong Siong was pleased that Shieldtox was at the school to educate students on dengue prevention.

“When knowledge is guided into action at a young age, it becomes easier to turn those efforts into a routine,” Dr Shih said.

The students were surprised to learn that the aedes mosquitoes bred in clean, clear, and stagnant water unlike other mosquitoes.

They also learned how to identify the aedes mosquito through its banded legs, white stripes, and smaller size.

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