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‘AI used to aid dengue efforts'
‘AI used to aid dengue efforts'

The Star

time7 days ago

  • Health
  • The Star

‘AI used to aid dengue efforts'

THE Health Ministry is utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to predict future dengue hotspots, with the aim of enhancing targeted interventions against the disease. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to combat dengue. 'We are integrating predictive AI tools to map potential dengue hotspots before outbreaks occur. This approach allows us to implement more targeted and effective interventions,' he said. A key strategy in the government's long-term dengue response is the introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which have been deployed across 45 localities in Malaysia. Dr Dzulkefly said that the method has shown strong results in suppressing the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, the main vector for dengue. 'In some areas, we've seen a reduction in cases by up to 45%, and in others, such as in Penang, the results are even more remarkable with a 100% reduction in cases,' he said.

Health Ministry using AI to map potential dengue hotspots, says Dzulkefly
Health Ministry using AI to map potential dengue hotspots, says Dzulkefly

The Star

time22-07-2025

  • Health
  • The Star

Health Ministry using AI to map potential dengue hotspots, says Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to predict future dengue hotspots, with the aim of enhancing targeted interventions against the disease. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that this initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to combat dengue, highlighting the significant role of technology in disease control. 'We are integrating predictive AI tools to map potential dengue hotspots before outbreaks occur. This proactive approach allows us to implement more targeted and effective interventions,' Dzulkefly told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22). A key strategy in the government's long-term dengue response is the introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, which have been deployed across 45 localities in Malaysia. Dr Dzulkefly noted that the method has already shown strong results in suppressing the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, the main vector for dengue. 'In some areas, we've seen a reduction in cases by up to 45%, and in others, such as in Penang, the results are even more remarkable — with a 100% reduction in cases. This Wolbachia approach is proving to be highly effective and will be expanded to more high-risk states,' he said. He emphasised that while conventional methods remain in use, Wolbachia deployment is emerging as a critical and sustainable solution to control the disease, not just in Malaysia, but globally. He was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Kuala Langat-PN), who inquired about the status of dengue vaccine development and whether the Health Ministry plans to introduce a national vaccination programme for dengue, which is currently classified as endemic. Dzulkefly stated that Malaysia is advancing research on a next-generation oral dengue vaccine, Oravad, developed by Universiti Malaya researchers with support from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry. Concurrently, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has granted conditional approval for the dengue vaccine Qdenga for two years starting from Feb 8, 2024. The vaccine's manufacturer must submit periodic reports on its safety and efficacy among Malaysian recipients during this period. However, Dr Dzulkefly clarified that Qdenga will not be included in the National Immunisation Programme for now, as Malaysia does not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for its widespread use. 'The WHO recommends Qdenga in countries with high transmission rates, particularly where over 60% of nine-year-olds have had prior infections, or where the peak age for dengue hospitalisation is under 16. Malaysia does not meet these thresholds,' he explained. Despite these developments, the Ministry will continue to monitor the progress of dengue vaccines, ensuring any potential public immunisation decisions are grounded in robust scientific evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Malaysia has recorded a significant drop in dengue-related deaths this year, with just 21 fatalities reported so far in 2025, compared to 117 deaths in 2024.

Kelantan Records Decline In Dengue Cases, Wolbachia Mosquito Release Shows Results
Kelantan Records Decline In Dengue Cases, Wolbachia Mosquito Release Shows Results

Barnama

time20-06-2025

  • Health
  • Barnama

Kelantan Records Decline In Dengue Cases, Wolbachia Mosquito Release Shows Results

KOTA BHARU, June 20 (Bernama) -- The number of dengue fever cases in Kelantan dropped by 12.5 percent, with 875 cases recorded in the first half of this year compared to 1,000 cases during the same period last year, said State Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin. However, he noted that the number of dengue outbreaks rose to 66 from 50 in the same period, although no fatalities were reported. 'This year, there have been no dengue hotspot localities in Kelantan. The current trend remains low, with 17 cases reported in epidemiological week 24. 'Kelantan currently ranks ninth among Malaysian states with the highest number of dengue cases,' he told Bernama at the Gotong-Royong Mega Perangi Aedes 1.0 launch and release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes, officiated by state executive councillor for Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment, Hilmi Abdullah. Dr Zaini also reported that 180,414 premises have been inspected for Aedes mosquito breeding grounds in Kelantan as of mid-June this year, resulting in 501 compounds issued, amounting to RM250,000. He said a total of 73,900 Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes have been released in Pondok Terusan, Pasir Tumboh, and Kubur Maras, Kota Bharu in 2021, and in Bandar Baru Kubang Kerian today. He noted that no dengue cases have been reported in Pondok Terusan since the release, compared to 134 cases over the previous five years. 'In Kubur Maras, only two dengue cases have been recorded, one each in 2023 and 2024, compared to 81 cases in the five years before 2021,' he said. Dr Zaini added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has spent an estimated RM705,500 over the past four years on dengue control efforts in Pondok Terusan and Kubur Maras.

The hidden menace on the rise in Australia's favourite winter holiday destinations
The hidden menace on the rise in Australia's favourite winter holiday destinations

Sydney Morning Herald

time11-06-2025

  • Health
  • Sydney Morning Herald

The hidden menace on the rise in Australia's favourite winter holiday destinations

Of the 13,343 dengue cases reported in Australian between 2012 and 2022, 94 per cent were contracted overseas, mostly from Thailand and Indonesia, a Journal of Travel Medicine study found. One paper estimated six out of every 1000 travellers to high-risk areas catch dengue per month. Several variants are circulating at once, driving the current outbreaks. Climate change has also expanded mosquito habitats, accelerated breeding cycles and shortened the time the virus needs to replicate within its insect hosts, Dr Gregor Devine at the World Mosquito Program said. Warmer temperatures may have also weakened a key weapon dispatched against dengue-carrying mosquitoes across Asia and the Pacific, including Australia. When mosquitoes are infected with a type of bacteria called Wolbachia, their ability to transmit viruses is vastly reduced. Scientists have bred Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes into local populations around Cairns and Townsville, for example, and almost eradicated local cases of dengue. (A case reported in Cairns in May, however, marked the first locally acquired dengue infection since 2018). The World Mosquito Program rolled out the technique in two regions of Bali last year and expects it could prevent half a million dengue cases over 15 years. Similar programs are planned or underway in other badly hit countries including Kiribati and Timor-Leste. The bacteria, however, are sensitive to heat and start to die off within mosquito larva when temperatures surpass 30 degrees, mosquito expert Dr Perran Stott-Ross from the University of Melbourne said. That could contribute to more dengue cases as hot days and heat waves become more frequent. 'There's a pretty clear link between temperature and Wolbachia loss,' Stott-Ross said. 'We know when Cairns had its hottest day on record several years ago that the Wolbachia took a bit of a hit.' Loading There is another proposed dengue-busting proposal on the table, but Stott-Ross is cautious about the idea while the Wolbachia approach remains effective. UK company Oxitec and the CSIRO have applied to release genetically modified male mosquitoes in Queensland to slash populations of invasive, disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Oxitec's mosquitos pass on a DNA tweak which kills female larvae. But Stott-Ross is concerned that could undermine the Wolbachia method if there's a crash in mosquito numbers and then mosquitoes without the bacteria re-populate. 'I think it's a really useful technology. I just don't think there's a need for it in Australia at the moment,' he said. 'We've already got something which seems to be working quite well which is the Wolbachia, and it's already been released pretty much everywhere in Queensland where dengue would be a concern.' Oxitec said in a statement that having other tools to control mosquitoes 'can only be a good thing for local authorities' given the Wolbachia approach hadn't fully eliminated dengue. Stott-Ross is researching more heat-tolerant strains of Wolbachia and how mosquitoes could spread under climate change.

The hidden menace on the rise in Australia's favourite winter holiday destinations
The hidden menace on the rise in Australia's favourite winter holiday destinations

The Age

time11-06-2025

  • Health
  • The Age

The hidden menace on the rise in Australia's favourite winter holiday destinations

Of the 13,343 dengue cases reported in Australian between 2012 and 2022, 94 per cent were contracted overseas, mostly from Thailand and Indonesia, a Journal of Travel Medicine study found. One paper estimated six out of every 1000 travellers to high-risk areas catch dengue per month. Several variants are circulating at once, driving the current outbreaks. Climate change has also expanded mosquito habitats, accelerated breeding cycles and shortened the time the virus needs to replicate within its insect hosts, Dr Gregor Devine at the World Mosquito Program said. Warmer temperatures may have also weakened a key weapon dispatched against dengue-carrying mosquitoes across Asia and the Pacific, including Australia. When mosquitoes are infected with a type of bacteria called Wolbachia, their ability to transmit viruses is vastly reduced. Scientists have bred Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes into local populations around Cairns and Townsville, for example, and almost eradicated local cases of dengue. (A case reported in Cairns in May, however, marked the first locally acquired dengue infection since 2018). The World Mosquito Program rolled out the technique in two regions of Bali last year and expects it could prevent half a million dengue cases over 15 years. Similar programs are planned or underway in other badly hit countries including Kiribati and Timor-Leste. The bacteria, however, are sensitive to heat and start to die off within mosquito larva when temperatures surpass 30 degrees, mosquito expert Dr Perran Stott-Ross from the University of Melbourne said. That could contribute to more dengue cases as hot days and heat waves become more frequent. 'There's a pretty clear link between temperature and Wolbachia loss,' Stott-Ross said. 'We know when Cairns had its hottest day on record several years ago that the Wolbachia took a bit of a hit.' Loading There is another proposed dengue-busting proposal on the table, but Stott-Ross is cautious about the idea while the Wolbachia approach remains effective. UK company Oxitec and the CSIRO have applied to release genetically modified male mosquitoes in Queensland to slash populations of invasive, disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Oxitec's mosquitos pass on a DNA tweak which kills female larvae. But Stott-Ross is concerned that could undermine the Wolbachia method if there's a crash in mosquito numbers and then mosquitoes without the bacteria re-populate. 'I think it's a really useful technology. I just don't think there's a need for it in Australia at the moment,' he said. 'We've already got something which seems to be working quite well which is the Wolbachia, and it's already been released pretty much everywhere in Queensland where dengue would be a concern.' Oxitec said in a statement that having other tools to control mosquitoes 'can only be a good thing for local authorities' given the Wolbachia approach hadn't fully eliminated dengue. Stott-Ross is researching more heat-tolerant strains of Wolbachia and how mosquitoes could spread under climate change.

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