TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dengue Fever outbreak is likely to occur in tropical areas, including Indonesia. Moreover, any preventive attempts taken by the government such as fogging and other health awareness campaign seems to have no effect in dealing with the disease.
However, a research recently conducted in Australia discovered that Dengue fever can be suppressed by using Wolbachia bacteria, as confirmed by head of the research, Professor Scott O'Neill.
Wolbachia is a bacteria that resides in around 70 percent of the world's total insect population with an exception of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the carrier of Dengue fever. Although considered to be a bacteris, Wolbachia seesm to have no effect on human being.
Years of research proved that the bacteria could prevent dengue virus infection. In addition, mosquitoes that are infected with the Wolbachia bacteria will have a shorter life span.
MITRA TARIGAN
