Azmi (left) supervising a worker spraying larvicide on old tyres dumped in the back lanes at Klang Sentral off Jalan Meru in Klang. KK SHAM/The Star - KK SHAM/The Star
AEDES mosquitoes injected with Wolbachia bacteria may be introduced in urban neighbourhoods in Klang as a way to curb dengue outbreaks.
Klang Municipal Council (MPK) Health and Environment Department director Azmi Muji said the council was considering this as a biological method of controlling Aedes mosquito population.
“We will discuss this possibility with the Klang District Health Department, Institute for Medical Research in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor government and the state Health Department,” he said, adding it would be the first for MPK if the method was approved.
The project, which involves the release of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with the parasitic microbe Wolbachia, had previously been tried out by the Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam city councils.
Eggs laid by female mosquitoes that mate with these infected mosquitoes will not hatch, leading to a reduction in the population of the Aedes mosquitoes, which is the main vector for dengue.
“For 2022, there were 6,158 dengue cases in Klang.
“We are looking at using the Wolbachia bacteria to curb the spread of dengue as a pilot project for the Sentosa, Kota Kemuning and Sungai Kandis constituencies that have been seeing a high number of dengue cases,” he said after supervising a search-and-destroy operation for Aedes mosquito breeding sites at Klang Sentral off Jalan Meru.
He said that last year, Sentosa had 1,292 dengue cases, while Kota Kemuning (areas under the municipality) had 1,132 and Sungai Kandis recorded 713.
For the first week of January this year, Klang district recorded 181 dengue cases.
Azmi said there was a dengue outbreak in Klang Sentral where three foreigners had come down with the fever.
During the operation, MPK workers sprayed larvicide into water containers and old tyres dumped at the back lanes in the area.
Other areas being monitored and where fogging has been carried out are Permai Apartments off Jalan Bukit Kuda, Taman Klang Utama, Taman Sungai Kapar Indah, Taman Intan Jaya, Aman Perdana Apartments and Persiaran Hamzah Alang, Meru.
“Taman Bayu Perdana had 13 cases while Palma Apartments in Sentosa had six cases,” said Azmi.
“Quick disposal of bulk waste is vital when it comes to controlling dengue, as stagnated water collected in old tyres, plastic containers and broken furniture are the perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed.
“Residents must bag their garbage neatly.
“Dispose bulk waste in a proper manner and not dump it on road sides,” he added.
Selangor public health, unity, women and family committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud urged people not to be complacent.
“Continue taking precautions and ensure stagnant water does not collect in empty containers,” she said.
Common symptoms of dengue fever include headache, body ache, fatigue and skin rash.
