Aziz Shafie

VERTICAL INFESTATION OF THE DENGUE VECTORS AEDES AEGYPTI AND AEDES ALBOPICTUS IN APARTMENTS IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Abstract Dengue is a serious public health problem in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to compare the vertical infestation of Aedes population in 2 apartments in Kuala Lumpur with different status of dengue incidence (i.e., high-dengue-incidence area and area with no reported dengue cases). The study was also conducted to assess the relationship between environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity and Aedes population that may influence Aedes infestation. Surveillance with a mosquito larvae trapping device was conducted for 28 continuous weeks (January to July 2012) in Vista Angkasa (VA) and Inderaloka (IL) apartments located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The results indicated that both Aedes spp. could be found from ground to higher floor levels of the apartments, with Aedes aegypti being more predominant than Ae. albopictus. Data based on mixed and single breeding of Aedes spp. on different floors did not show any significant difference. Both rainfall (R3; i.e., the amount of rainfall collected during the previous 3 wk before the surveillance period began) and RH data showed significant relationship with the number of Aedes larvae collected in VA and IL. No significant difference was found between the numbers of Aedes larvae in both study areas as well as maximum and minimum temperatures. Results also indicated adaptations of Ae. aegypti to the ecosystem at each elevation of high-rise buildings, with Ae. albopictus staying inside of apartment units.

Homogeneous Climate Divisions for Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract Classification of Peninsular Malaysia was delineated by integrating in-situ temperature elements data and Geographical Information System (GIS) raster data. The principal component (PC) analysis was applied to long-term mean monthly temperature elements data for monsoon seasons. The first three principal components were chosen to be statistically significant, accounted for 96.5% of the variability in the 27 variables. These three components are related to the mean monthly variation in minimum temperature during monsoon season (first PC), the mean monthly variation in maximum and the mean temperature in southwest monsoon (second PC), and the mean monthly variation in maximum temperature during northeast monsoon (third PC). Cluster analyses were applied to create clusters of meteorological stations, of which six classes were formed. To determine cluster boundaries, interpolation analysis was applied to generate GIS raster data of factor scores. The supervised classification analysis was then performed to the generated GIS factor data. The result of a maximum likelihood classification produced three clusters when summarized by districts. Final classification results of climate divisions show rational climate regionalization that reveals control on temperature. The use of factor score GIS raster data effectively assists the generation of meteorological station clusters, grouped using only in-situ data.

Mosquito Biology and Mosquito-Borne Disease Awareness Among Island Communities In Malaysia

Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases have been increasing at an alarming rate over the past decades. In Malaysia, one finds several important mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Mosquito surveillance and control programs are the most effective way of detecting and controlling mosquito-borne diseases, but these programs are less effective without an aware and well-informed general public. In 2014 we used a questionnaire to evaluate the extent of awareness of basic mosquito biology and mosquito-borne diseases in 6 villages, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Teluk Gedung, Kampung Teluk Dalam, Kampung Ujung Kelawai, Kampung Sungai Pinang Besar, and Kampung Sungai Pinang Kechil on Pangkor Island, Malaysia. A total of 1,012 individuals responded to the questionnaire, consisting of 790 Malay (78.1%), 164 Chinese (16.2%), and 58 Indian (5.7%). More than 60% (Malay = 73.7%, Chinese = 64.0%, Indian = 79.3%) of the respondents were familiar with basic mosquito biology and practiced personal protection against mosquito bites, and the association was statistically significant (P = 0.02). However, the majority of the respondents had limited knowledge on mosquito-borne diseases, and this varied significantly among the 3 ethnic groups (P = 0.0001). Our recommendations are to improve and intensify public health education outreach programs to the island residents and to encourage community participation in vector control programs.