Kitchen dish drainers have been added to the list of prime breeding spots for Aedes mosquito larvae.
This week, a senior inspector of the Petaling District Health Department announced that their health inspectors would now be checking dish drainers, as well as the garden, rain gutters and containers left in the open, on the hunt for growing larvae. In addition, they have more than doubled their ‘search and destroy’ task force who work to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, using insect repellent to fumigate affected sites.
As the number of dengue cases continues to rise, with a 200% surge compared to cases recorded in 2013, it is becoming increasingly important to minimize the spread of several virus-spreading species of mosquito that lay their eggs in the stagnant water collected in the bottom tray of dish drainers.Residents are cautioned to pay more attention when cleaning in ‘wet areas’, most prone to mosquito-breeding.
Around half of all dengue cases recorded in the Petaling district, encompassing Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam, were caused by mosquitos breeding in and around victims’ homes. From January to July 5 2014, 12,382 cases were recorded, 3,512 of which occurred in Petaling Jaya; of these cases, 12 proved fatal. Figures in Subang Jaya are similarly high, with 142 cases of dengue reported within the first week of July. Shah Alam, on the other hand, has experience a decrease, reporting only 104 cases this past week in comparison the 175 the week before. Despite this, Shah Alam City Council deputy corporate communications director Shahrin Ahmad worries that “numbers are still high” and continues daily checks in the area.
Dr. Chitra Davi N. Vadivellu, City Council health and environment department director for Petaling Jaya, recently spent around RM1 million on insecticides, the repair of fogging machines and labour. The council has also been working to educate citizens about dengue, holding informative exhibitions and briefings to increase awareness.
Story from: The Star
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