110 units of mosquito traps are being installed at Sibu Central Market in an effort to curb the spread of dengue, announced the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman. The initiative, a collaboration between SMC and the Ministry of Health (MoH), aims to enhance hygiene and protect public health in the market area, known to be a breeding ground for aedes mosquitoes.

The chairman revealed that this is a pilot project, and if successful, the program will be expanded to cover all other markets in the Sibu district. Each trap unit costs RM23 and is specifically designed to attract aedes mosquitoes seeking egg-laying sites. The adult mosquitoes, contaminated with chemicals from the traps, will then spread it to other breeding sites, effectively killing mosquito larvae and halting their proliferation.

The effectiveness of the traps was demonstrated in a trial in Peninsular Malaysia, leading to SMC being the first local council in Sarawak approached by MoH to implement the program. While the traps will be initially set up at the central market, the MoH will assist in collecting data and maintaining records on the results.

The chairman expressed hope that this initiative would serve as an effective model in controlling the spread of dengue in Sarawak. Should the program prove successful, it may be recommended for households to install similar traps. Additionally, he shared the latest report from MoH, indicating an 88% increase in dengue fever cases in the 8th epidemiological week of this year compared to the same period last year.

The report detailed a total of 15 cases, with six in Sibu, six in Selangau, and three in Kanowit, and fortunately, no deaths were reported. The chairman did not provide further comments on the effectiveness of the initiative, stating that he would do so at an appropriate time.