ALL new buildings, particularly in dengue hotspots, must be fitted with insect screens to prevent the entry of mosquitoes, said a medical expert.
Universiti Malaya virology and bacteriology expert Professor Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said it should be mandatory for developers and contractors to install insect screens in buildings, especially residential ones, in dengue hotspots.
The Health Ministry has identified 260 hotspots — where dengue outbreaks last for more than 30 days — in Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Terengganu, Penang, Sarawak, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur as of Feb 13.
Sazaly, who is also the World Health Organisation’s Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Reference and Research director, was commenting on the Public Works Department’s Best Practices of Building Design draft guideline, which specifies measures to prevent the breeding and entry of Aedes mosquitoes, including the installation of insect screens in all building openings.
“Finally, someone is listening. I have been saying this for years: a much cheaper way in the long run is to have proper building design, including all buildings and houses fitted with mosquito netting.
“People can reduce the risk of mosquitoes entering their homes by having insect screens on windows and doors.
“This is better than pumping insecticides into the environment and ourselves.”
He said the government should consider giving a tax rebate or relief of RM3,000 for homeowners to install insect screens.
He said the authorities should also incorporate the removal of gutters and flat roofs in their building design best practices.
“Drainage and septic tanks must be designed to be mosquito-breeding-proof,” he said, adding that such areas were fertile breeding grounds.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Ashok Zachariah Philip said insect screens and mosquito netting were effective — though not 100 per cent — in reducing mosquito bites, which led to a reduced dengue incidence.
“However, I think it is not one of the things that should be legislated. Education is the best way.
“Also, it is uncommon to find mosquitoes higher than the fifth floor, so insect screens may not be necessary (for higher floors).”
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur consultant physician and rheumatologist Dr Benjamin Cheah Tien Eang said simple measures, like using mosquito netting and ensuring a clean environment, were safest and simplest in impeding mosquito vectors.
However, he said, more detailed information on building modifications that could prevent mosquitoes’ entry should be provided.
“Not just building design, but drainage and maintenance, too, must be looked into.
“Malaysia’s biggest problem is maintenance.
“No amount of good design will help if there’s poor maintenance. Hence, it goes back to culture and attitude.
“Unless people are indoors all the time, it is unlikely that there will be a reduction in dengue cases (because of the unclean environment outside the home).”