We refer to your article entitled Dengue cases on the rise as well . We too, are appalled by the authorities, especially the Health Ministry's lackadaisical attitude towards the dengue menace.

As a responsible association, we have highlighted to the relevant state and federal authorities of the impending dangers of dengue in early 2006 when the number of cases spiralled dramatically.

Although the media reported the widespread and disastrous increases in dengue cases annually, the control measures taken, unfortunately, were rather inadequate.

It is also was due to the aedes mosquitoes' ability to adapt and resist new control measures. The reasons are varied as the aedes mosquitoes' reproduction, or any other pests for that matter, had been enhanced by global warming coupled with the indiscriminate application of pesticides.

The failure to curb the rise in dengue is not due to ignorance but rather the failure to realise the adverse effects of global warming which has disrupted the life cycles of various breed of mosquitoes.

The natural predators and biological control against these pests had to a certain extent been gravely affected and it is not amazing the mosquitoes' populace had increased drastically.

Natural predators like toads, frogs, lizards and a host of insect eating creatures had their feeding habits disrupted by global warming, whereby they too could not ascertain the natural activities of aedes mosquitoes.

Contrary to popular belief, aedes mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk and sensed by temperature inversion rather than by sight or light.

The perception they only bite during dusk and dawn is misleading, It is little wonder that humans are bitten at most times of the day or night as temperatures dive and rise.

Aedes mosquitoes prefer human to animal blood and are mainly exophillac insects, meaning they prefer outdoors, and control should be concentrated on the exterior of dwelling places.

They are attracted to humans through emission of carbon dioxide during perspiration. The indiscriminate application of pesticides' dosages had also contributed to them being resistant.

This has to with the outsourcing of mosquito fogging contracts highlighted by the Sun and on the deplorable and lopsided awards of lucrative contracts to unqualified pest controllers.

The Pest Control Association Of Malaysia (PCAM) had investigated and found that more than 80% of these contractors are unlicensed and not registered with the Pesticides Board.

Some of these contractors engaged by DBKL are actually companies involved in construction, food caterering and interior design work.

Bear in mind that, we are not on a crusade to incriminate bona fide companies engaged by the authorities to control aedes, and who are capable of performing duties.

Instead, year after year, statistics of dengue is on an upward diagonal trend and the number of unwarranted fatalities could have been avoided.

It is akin to permitting unqualified doctors or surgeons to operate on us, even though, the services in GHs are paid by the government.

It is indeed baffling and mind boggling that although there are plenty of qualified professionals in the market capable of controlling such pests, the relevant authorities, however, deem fit to engage controversial pest control firms in the fight against dengue.

Pest management is a science, and the art of application/control is not any Tom Dick or Harry's profession. The discerning public knows this too well and that is why they are willing to engage qualified pest controllers to maintain their properties and against vector pests.

Could it be an agenda at the behest of politicians? It is not surprising to note that many of these fogging contractor's profiles engaged to prevent the endemic scourge of dengue are questionable.

It is high time that the public demand accountability and transparency from the relevant authorities, lest more and more cases of dengue and undue deaths occurred at the expense of tax payers like you and I.

Although many have recovered from dengue, the untold sufferings by these patients should be an invaluable lesson to all of us.

Immediate measures are required by all parties to curb this chronic and perennial disease.

The writer is president of the Pest Control Association Of Malaysia and his opinion is not be construed as a representation of the pest control fraternity.