A 15-minute Dengue Vector Control System in Semenyih, Malaysia

15-minute system introduced in Semenyih to destroy mosquitoes

KAJANG Municipal Council (MPKj) has become the first local council in Selangor to introduce a campaign to rid homes of mosquitoes in 15 minutes.

The Killing Aedes From Inside (Kafi) programme was launched in one of Kajang’s dengue hotspots, Pangsapuri Baiduri in Bandar Tasik Kesuma in Beranang, Semenyih, and MPKj officials went to the apartment units to demonstrate how the system worked. MPKj president Najmuddin Jemain said the council had collaborated with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Sumitomo Chemical for the programme.

He claimed that the spray did not emit any odour and was safe for both people and pets. He said it took about five minutes to spray a home, and another 10 minutes to air the premises by having its windows and doors opened.

“This allows fresh air to circulate and occupants can get back into their homes after proper ventilation.“

“The entire process is completed within 15 minutes.“

“Previously, diesel was one of the compounds used for spraying or fogging.“

“This was bad for the environment and it left an oily residue after the fogging exercise,” he added.“

MPKj had invited representatives from all local councils in Selangor to attend the demonstration.

Besides Pangsapuri Baiduri, Najmuddin said there were eight other dengue hotspots in areas under MPKj’s purview.

In Semenyih, the hotspots are Jalan TKP 1-9 in Taman Kantan Permai, Bandar Tasik Kesuma and Taman Semenyih Parkland.

The other hotspots are Taman Bukit Kajang Baru in Kajang, Jalan 1 in Bangi Avenue 1 in Bangi, Jalan 3/29 to Jalan 3/34 in Section 3 in Bandar Baru Bangi as well as Green Suria Apartment in Taman Desa Baiduri and Sri Ria Apartments in Taman Sepakat Indah, both in Balakong.

Selangor public health, unity, women empowerment and family committee caretaker chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, who launched the event, said she was very proud of MPKj for taking the initiative and hoped more councils would adopt the Kafi programme.

“This programme offers a much safer way of eradicating mosquitoes inside people’s houses,” she said.

Sumitomo Chemical environment health division regional technical manager Andy Tan Wei Ann said the Mirakn product, which was used in the demonstration, uses carbon dioxide and synthetic pyrethroid (a compound used in insecticides) for indoor mosquito control.

“These products are lab-tested and the (mosquito) kill-rate within the apartment area is 100%.

“So, this is very effective, safe and odourless,” he said.

Tan said the company also had other systems targeting mosquitoes and mosquito-larvae breeding sites outdoors.