KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s pilot project to combat dengue has brought the number of cases down by about 49 per cent in the 30 participating localities.

Anti-dengue home kits were distributed through the Komuniti Bebas Denggi (KBD) programme at hotspots in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor from June to December last year.

The minister, Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, said the kits mainly contributed to the success rate.

“Now that we know the success rate, the 100,000 kits which we have prepared for this programme will be distributed to other hotspots, even as far as Sabah. Prevention is always better than cure,” he said  said after handing out the kits to several schools and community representatives here yesterday.

“The items in the kits are created by our scientists and Kuala Lumpur City Hall staff.”

Each kit contains a pack of Mousticide RH biolarvicide sachets, a 500ml tub of Denguard non-toxic mosquito repellent, an Aedes larvae ovitrap — a device to trap and kill Aedes mosquito larvae — and an instruction pamphlet.

Madius said the kit would be available at retail stores at RM50 each from next month.

He also said the ministry had extended help to Brazil to tackle the Zika virus problem as the 2016 Rio Olympics was around the corner.

“We have someone coming in from Brazil tomorrow (Friday) so we can help combat the Zika virus problem there caused by the same perpetrator — the Aedes mosquitoes,” he said.