KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — The effectiveness of the solar mosquito trap as a measure to reduce dengue fever cases and to prevent the spread of the Zika virus is still under study.
Universiti Malaya lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Prof Dr Chong Wen Tong said thus far, there was yet to be a comprehensive study to prove its effectiveness in reducing the risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases.
He said the solar mosquito trap which could function in any weather, could only reduce the number of insects and trap mosquitoes within its radius.
“However, its effectiveness in reducing dengue fever cases and Zika virus infection has not been determined, as we need collaboration from the departments involved for data collection,” he said.
Last Sunday, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said installation of the traps would be made mandatory at all new People’s Housing Programme (PPR) projects and projects to upgrade recreational areas, to reduce dengue fever cases and prevent the spread of Zika.
Chong said the solar mosquito trap could function like the insect-trapping street lamp.
“The difference is that the solar mosquito trap utilises power from the sun and could function during the rainy season or by the seaside by using wind power.” However, he said, the trap was not a popular item in the market and difficult to come by online.
On the same development, the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association said its members were willing to install solar mosquito traps at their coming project sites.
Its president Datuk Mokhtar Samad said the approach was timely in the fight against dengue, besides educating people in the residential areas on cleanliness.
“It will not add up to the construction cost or disrupt the construction period as the trap is practical,” he said.
PPR Desa Rejang resident, Ab Kadir Ibak, 60, who has been staying in the area since 2009, welcomed the suggestion by the minister, saying that the measure should had been taken a long time ago.
Hidayah Ahmad, 34, also agreed with the trap plan although its effectiveness had yet to be proven, but she believed it could work to reduce cases of mosquito-borne diseases. — Bernama
