Heed El Nino warning and wipe out Zika, says expert

PETALING JAYA: South-east Asian countries must heed the El Nino warning and control Aedes mosquitoes in efforts to eradicate the Zika and dengue viruses, says a Universiti Malaya research consultant.

Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit said a recent meeting of public health scientists and leaders of South-east Asia held here confirmed the high transmission of mosquito-borne dengue virus in the region due to the intense El Niño emerging in the Pacific.

Dr Lam said representatives from 10 countries noted the high transmission of dengue at the close of 2015 was a result of the elevated temperatures the last few weeks, and added there was the potential of a large outbreak this year.

“One of the largest El Niño episodes in recent memory occurred in the past several months, and temperatures are rising throughout South-east Asia,” he added.

“The dialogue that began at this conference will continue with the intent of lessening public health burden from dengue that we expect over the next year.

“We represent one of the first examples of countries coming together to counter a dengue epidemic before it happens,” Dr Lam added.