THE Malacca Health Department aims to reduce dengue cases in the state by releasing mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia micro-organism in more areas, especially in Central Malacca, in stages. 

State Health Director Dr Rusdi Abd Rahman said the areas are Kota Laksamana, Sungai Udang, and Bukit Baru, but it depended on the ability of various parties to breed the insects. 

“If we can breed two to three million Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes a week, maybe this project can be expanded to more dengue hotspots. 

“But so far, we are only able to breed around 50,000 of those mosquitoes a week because we depend on many parties including the Institute for Medical Research to produce the mosquito eggs,” he said. 

He said although no deaths were recorded due to dengue in the state during the week that ended on September 30, dengue cases recorded an increase of 96.61% to 869 cases compared to 442 cases in the same period last year. 

As of September 30, he said the department had inspected 67,344 premises in the state and 7,793 of them were found to be breeding grounds for Aedes mosquito, carrier of the dengue virus. 

“A total of 549 compounds worth RM274,500 was also issued; 248 cases were registered in court for not paying compounds while 79 cases received convictions,” he added. – Bernama, October 8, 2023.