Friday, July 3, 2015

Don: Rope in university students to tackle dengue

PETALING JAYA: With the dengue threat continuing unabated, a health expert has suggested that the brains of university students be picked on how best to counter the menace.
Universiti Malaya virologist Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar wants a competition held in universities to come up with ideas on how to reduce dengue infections.
Backing the decision of the national dengue task force in getting universities to “adopt” nearby dengue hotspots, Dr Sazaly said such a competition would help in the search for a solution.
“But there must be clear targets on what is needed,” he added.
On Wednesday, the taskforce, made up of several ministries and agencies, announced that it would work with the Education Ministry to get 27 public and private higher education institutions involved in the fight against dengue.
Dr Sazaly said university students and staff should be guided on how to protect themselves from the Aedes mosquitoes.
He also said many Malaysians were still “uneducated” on rubbish disposal and that the students could help overcome this.
“Malaysians often think that it’s the Government’s job to keep places clean. This mindset has to go,” he added.
Dr Sazaly said getting local councils to fumigate areas was not enough. “We must do more.”

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