In an ambitious move to combat dengue, approximately 350,000 male Wolbachia-infused Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were liberated at a new site in Clementi on February 20. This initiative is a part of the broader Project Wolbachia, aiming to extend its reach across Singapore to safeguard more communities.
A Wider Net Against Dengue
By the initial quarter of 2024, the project plans to encompass five residential zones in Singapore’s south, spanning both public housing and private estates. The targeted areas include Bukit Merah-Telok Blangah, Clementi-West Coast, Commonwealth, Holland, and Marine Parade-Mountbatten. This expansion will elevate the project’s coverage from 350,000 households in 2023 to 480,000, marking a significant increase from 26% to 35% of Singaporean households.
Production Ramp-Up
To support this extensive coverage, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will boost its production of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes to 11 million per week, a substantial rise from the 7 million produced in 2023.
A Timely Intervention
This proactive step comes at a crucial time, following NEA’s recent call for urgent measures to curb the rising Aedes mosquito populations amidst escalating dengue cases. The agency has expressed concerns over the persistent increase in weekly dengue cases, attributing it to heightened disease transmission in areas with dense Aedes mosquito populations. Additionally, the incidence of Aedes mosquito breeding habitats in residences saw a twofold increase from January 2023.
Community Endorsement
The initiative has received positive feedback from local leaders, including Ms Sim Ann, an adviser to the Holland-Bukit Timah grassroots organization. While acknowledging the significant potential of Project Wolbachia in reducing Aedes aegypti populations and dengue risk, Ms Sim emphasized the continued importance of community vigilance and preventive measures against mosquito breeding.
With this strategic expansion of Project Wolbachia, Singapore takes a significant step forward in its ongoing battle against dengue, combining innovative science with community effort to protect its residents.
Also learn about Battling Dengue: The Wolbachia Project in Singapore.
