2017 alone Malaysia has recorded more than 22,000 mosquito-related illnesses and 50 deaths caused by the airborne pest.

Brainstorming to get rid of mosquitoes

Dr Abu Bakar reminded the audience at the Dengue 360 Conference of the importance of stakeholders being involved in combating dengue.

 

WORLDWIDE, 2.5 billion people are at risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases, while 400 million are infected annually.

In Malaysia, cases of dengue and Zika have been rising steadily and the first three months of 2017 alone, we have recorded more than 22,000 mosquito-related illnesses and 50 deaths caused by the airborne pest.

1. In response to these alarming numbers, the Science, Technology and Information Ministry (Mosti) collaborated with Entogenex Industries Sdn Bhd, Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd and Academy of Sciences Malaysia for the second edition of the Dengue 360 Conference themed “Innovation in Dengue Prevention”.

The Dengue 360 Conference is a series of forums where academicians and experts come together to discuss innovations in prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Similar to last year’s forum, the aim was to discuss new ideas and innovations to curb dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, said Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd acting president Yusri Bulat.

“The sessions will spark a strategic cooperation between agencies, local authorities, NGOs, and industry experts,” Yusri added.

“Research has been conducted by organisations and academicians, but what is needed now is for stakeholders to join in to combat dengue, because the responsibility does not lie in one entity alone,” said Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.

“The mosquito might be a tiny creature, but it has a great impact on the community,” he said.

Mosti, together with Inno Biologics and Entogenex, came up with a sustainable solution known as the Dengue Control Toolbox, comprising three key components — innovation, community engagement and economic benefit.

The community-engagement component, known as the Dengue-Free Community (KBD) programme, successfully reduced dengue cases by 49% in areas where the Anti-Aedes Kits were distributed.

“When we were discussing these plans three years ago, we decided not to tackle the problem through the normal methods, which had proven ineffective,” said Abu Bakar, who emphasised innovation repeatedly.

These concerns were reflected in the forum sessions at the conference, comprising key topics that included community engagement, innovation in dengue prevention and strategies in community, industry and government involvement.

Forum topics discussed include insecticide resistance in dengue vectors, dengue vaccine in Malaysia and the integration of conventional and novel methods to manage dengue vectors.

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/04/01/brainstorming-to-get-rid-of-mosquitoes-conference-brings-together-academicians-and-experts-in-the-fi/#YBrvpZyovoEUQ7Bc.99