Establishment of Wolbachia strain wAlbB in Malaysian populations of Aedes aegypti for dengue control

Dengue has enormous health impacts globally. A novel approach to decrease dengue incidence involves the introduction of Wolbachia endosymbionts that block dengue virus transmission into populations of the primary vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The wMel Wolbachia strain has previously been trialed in open releases of Ae. aegypti; however, the wAlbB strain has been shown to maintain higher density than wMel at high larval rearing temperatures. Releases of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes carrying wAlbB were carried out in 6 diverse sites in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with high endemic dengue transmission. The strain was successfully established and maintained at very high population frequency at some sites or persisted with additional releases following fluctuations at other sites. Based on passive case monitoring, reduced human dengue incidence was observed in the release sites when compared to control sites. The wAlbB strain of Wolbachia provides a promising option as a tool for dengue control, particularly in very hot climates

Determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCS) at selected pump stations in Johor Bahru

The determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at selected pump stations in Skudai, Johor Bahru was investigated. About 27 chemicals substances in petrol and 24 chemicals substances in diesel with different concentration have been identified in each pump station. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and MTBE have been chosen as VOCs of interests because of their toxicity properties that can gives hazardous to human health. The exposures of benzene at all three pump stations during refuelling the liquid fuel have potential to cause cancer riskwhile, ethylbenzene stated as acceptable risk to the people health.As for noncarcinogenic substances, the exposure of toluene, xylene and MTBE were recorded as acceptable risk to the people health at all the studied pump stations. Besides, there is a great correlation between physical environment factors; temperature, relative humidity and wind speed typically with total volatile organic compounds that evaporate into the ambient air during refuelling activities

Determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at selected pump stations in Skudai, Johor Bahru

The determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at selected pump stations in Skudai, Johor Bahru was investigated. About 27 chemicals substances in petrol and 24 chemicals substances in diesel with different concentration have been identified in each pump station. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and MTBE have been chosen as VOCs of interests because of their toxicity properties that can gives hazardous to human health. The exposures of benzene at all three pump stations during refuelling the liquid fuel have potential to cause cancer riskwhile, ethylbenzene stated as acceptable risk to the people health.As for noncarcinogenic substances, the exposure of toluene, xylene and MTBE were recorded as acceptable risk to the people health at all the studied pump stations. Besides, there is a great correlation between physical environment factors; temperature, relative humidity and wind speed typically with total volatile organic compounds that evaporate into the ambient air during refuelling activities