BY: NORHAYATI UMOR
SHAH ALAM, FEB 8: The State Government is prepared to discuss with the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) to reach a final say on the ‘Wolbachia’ pioneer programme which will be launched soon.
Health, Welfare, Women and Family Development Exco, Dr Daroyah Alwi said currently she cannot say yes or no since there has been no discussion yet.
“We shall discuss tomorrow (today) and then decide,” she said to SelangorKini when met in Bangi yesterday.
Before this, Dr Daroyah denied any knowledge on the Health Ministry’s programme to release mosquitoes carrying the ‘Wolbachia’ microorganism in efforts to fight dengue in the state.
She said there was no official request by the Ministry nor the IMR to release the mosquitoes.
“I am discussing this matter with the Selangor Dengue Committee before seeking for a decision from Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali for further action.
“IMR did not officially apply from the local authorities of both locations, which are the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA),” she said.
She did not deny the programme’s success in several other countries.
The use of ‘Wolbachia’ was first introduced in January 2016 by IMR in collaboration with Lancaster University, United Kingdom.
Studies shows that ‘Wolbachia’, when injected into the ‘aegypti’ Aedes mosquitoes, can prevent the dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses from breeding inside the mosquitoes.
Wolbachia: Selangor prepared to discuss with IMR
