Indonesia Releases Wolbachia Mosquitoes; Here's Why

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Health Ministry spokesperson Ngabila Salama highlighted the government’s reasons for releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes in several regions and why it is necessary in the country.

“[The mosquito is] an environmentally friendly [innovation that is released] based on data and evidence, and has been studied by UGM (Yogyakarta Gadjah Mada University) since 2011 with existing international scientific publications showing an 80-90 percent reduction in the number of [dengue] cases, hospital admissions, and the use of fogging,” Ngabila said on her Instagram account @ngabilasalama.

Reports revealed that the government has released Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacteria to 47,251 points in Semarang City, 20,513 points in Bandung City, 18,761 points in West Jakarta City, 9,751 points in Kupang City, and 4,917 points in Bontang City.

Ngabila explained that dengue hemorrhagic fever has been declared endemic in Indonesia, making it necessary to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease. So the notion of dengue as a harmless disease is not appropriate, as it is among the top five cases of infectious diseases that need to be prevented.

Fighting dengue by releasing the modified mosquitoes is also the government’s commitment to achieving zero deaths from dengue worldwide by 2030. Wolbachia, she stressed, is a complementary innovation besides 3M Plus, which is the drain-cover-reuse method to prevent mosquito breeding and the One House One Jumantik (a larvae buster) program.

“After a successful program in Yogyakarta, the Indonesian Health Ministry with thorough preparation through training, outreach, and a structured and measurable timeline, is expanding it to five other cities under a Ministry of Health’s Decree,” Ngabila added.

Don't fall for hoaxes

Ngabila explained that Wolbachia is an environmentally friendly technological innovation that does not involve genetic engineering or ecosystem modification. The mosquitoes are expected to combat dengue cases and even reduce deaths to zero. 

The Wolbachia bacteria prevents Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from transmitting the dengue virus to humans. She urged the public to think positively, be smart, and not fall for fake news about Wolbachia mosquitoes.

ANTARA

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