Aedes busters now available for purchase

KUALA LUMPUR: Aedes-busting kits that have proven successful in reducing dengue cases almost by half are now available for purchase in supermarkets.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) deputy secretary general Professor Dr. Ramzah Dambul said the kits are the result of public and private sector collaboration to fight dengue.
Dubbed the "Dengue-Free Community" (KBD) kits, Ramzah said the kits managed to reduce dengue cases by 49% in areas where it was distributed for a study.
"This is a very promising sign to our efforts, although we know this is just the beginning," Ramzah said during his keynote address at the inaugural Dengue Prevention Innovations Conference (Dengue 360).
He said innovative ideas proven in labs and controlled environments often have difficulties in practical, large scale application due to lack of funds, and the same applies in combating dengue.
For that reason, Ramzah said, the government urged the private sector to participate and help commercialise innovative ideas that can contribute to the public.
He then thanked EntoGenex Industries Sdn Bhd and Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd for their collaboration to develop the RM36 million KBD programme, fully funded by Mosti.
EntoGenex communication director Nantha Kumar V said 100,000 KBD kits were distributed to 30 selected hotspot communities in Selangor, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Johore as a pilot project.
The project, emphasising on community intervention, spans over a year involving 76,000 residents from 20,000 households who were educated about dengue and trained to use the KBD kits.
"Residents were given 12 weeks training and were given KBD kits upon completion," Nantha Kumar said.
The KBD kit contains an ovitrap to trap larvae, mousticide to kill said larvae both in the ovitrap and other water catchment areas, and a Mosguard repellent.
Nantha Kumar said the kit is made with organic and bio-degrade-able ingredients and can last up to six months and smaller kits are now sold in supermarkets such as Giant for RM49.90.