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We propose that the Health Ministry improve further its coordination with local governments such as the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (KLCH), so that there will be long-term anti-dengue campaign including the use of ovitrap (mosquito larvae trapping device)   Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur,  Tuesday): We do not know how effective are ovitraps in reducing the incidence of dengue. Since KLCH has introduced the apparatus, the incidence of the disease in the Kepong zone has dropped from number one to four, out of the six zones in KL. Naturally, we need more scientific proofs that this device is one of the effective methods in anti-dengue campaign. Mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus may carry dengue virus. When an infected mosquito stings a man, it passes the virus to him or her, causing dengue. These mosquitoes breed in clear water. Each female mosquito lays up to 60 eggs. Given the right conditions, each female mosquito will give rise to 1.3 billion off-springs in 6 weeks.   Recently, the incidence of dengue shoots up. In 2004, there were 1,542 confirmed cases of the disease in KL. In Selangor, KL, Penang and Pahang, the average number of weekly notified cases has jumped from 450 to 1,000. The dominant strain of dengue virus is now Den 1, not Den 3. There are four serotypes, Den 1, 2, 3 and 4, each serotype taking turn to become dominant. From 1999 until now, out of 130,673 notified cases, 361 patients have died.   Temporary measures of eradicating dengue include fogging with insecticides. The local governments like KLCH spray them within 200-metre perimeter of a house in which a dengue patient has been detected in early morning and late afternoon. Those who spray in bright day light and collect money from residents are imposters. Aedes can lay eggs in a teaspoonful ( 5 millilitres) of clear water. We hope people can understand and cooperate in the long-term anti-dengue campaign.   The Health Ministry must get rid of bureaucracy and red-tape and improve its co-ordination with local governments such as KLCH. It should launch a long-term anti-dengue campaign including more education on dengue infection in schools. Last year, out of 33,000 notified cases, 9,000 were school children. As about 70% of Aedes are supposed to arise from building sites especially abandoned ones, the Government should take strict action against those responsible if Aedes-breeding grounds are found. (25/1/2005) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong