Mousticide - Controlling dengue and malaria at the source

As the world continues in its quest to find a vaccine against dengue fever, a new solution has been found to contain the epidemic at its source.

Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Entogenex Industries Sdn Bhd (Entogenex) will soon roll-out a a long-term environmentally friendly solution, Mousticide, to combat the dengue menace.

This non-toxic application is biodegradable and eradicates the threat of the disease by efficiently eliminating its carrier, the aedes mosquito, early at its larval stage.

“A ground-breaking biotechnolofy approach such as the one we are conducting under the Mousticide Treatment Programme goes beyond any partnership and addresses a core issue of well-being for all urban residents, which is securing health against disease carriers,” said MRCB Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din in a statement on Tuesday.

He added, the approach taken in developing this insecticide places high importance in maintaining the environment including initiative to ensure health, safety, comfort and convenience for all.

Mousticide RH contains two natural active ingredients, the TMOF protein and Bti bacteria,which work together to enhance the larvicide effect 100-fold. This ensure Mousticide is long lasting and that mosquitoes would not develop resistance.

It is applied to containers with standing water, which are common breeding areas such as fish tanks, gully traps and flower pots and will be eaten by mosquito larvae.

“We created this product by understanding the mosquito DNA, By suppressing its digestive system, it kills mosquito larvae before they mature into adults,” said Director and Founder of Entogenex, Marcus Francis.

He added, the product, the first of its kind in the world, has received positive response from several countries such as the United States, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

“We have already tested the product in Setapak and Gombak with good results. Soon, Mousticide will be used extensively at three initial locations in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Kelantan,” he said.

According to Marcus, the larvae will die within one to six hours after Mousticide is applied and a single application lasts up to three weeks.