Pusat Sistematik Serangga, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Abstract
In Malaysia, the control of dengue is mainly through the identification and reduction of
mosquito vector breeding sites. In this study, a larval survey was conducted from June 2017
until December 2018 to determine the spatial distribution of dengue vectors in the 132 dengue
hotspots outbreak areas in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Molecular methods were performed in
order to detect the presence of transovarial dengue virus in larvae collected, while the density
of the breeding habitat and Aedes larval population were determine using spatial analysis. Map
of Dengue virus (DENV) distribution were generated to illustrate the trend of dengue outbreak.
This study showed that larval survey was an effective method to detect the presence of dengue
virus transmission in immature Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. This study also
demonstrated that plastic container was the highest source of breeding habitat for Aedes
mosquito, whereas blocked drain and tyre were the most favourable breeding habitats for Ae.
aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows that mosquito
density was not correlated with the DENV infection. In conclusion, current study shows that
dengue transmission risk in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor remain high despite the outbreak
response conducted by the health authority due to high density of Aedes population and the
presence of DENV infection within the larvae population in the area. Therefore, new outbreak
response methods such as public mandatory involvement in community-based control program
to ensure success in management of resource reduction are necessary to ensure that the risk of
dengue infection can be eliminated
