JAKARTA, investor.id – Mosquito release Aedes aegypti containing Wolbachia bacteria can reduce or even eliminate the chance of increasing the danger of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the next 30 years.
“Mosquito release Aedes aegypti “Wolbachia-bearing mosquitoes are at very low risk, because in the next 30 years the chance of increasing danger will be negligible,” said researcher of Wolbachia-bearing mosquitoes at Gadjah Mada University, Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad MPH. PhD, Monday (11/11).
The director of the tropical medicine center at the Faculty of Public Health Medicine and Nursing (FK KMK) UGM said in his journal that Wolbachia does not infect humans and does not occur horizontal transmission to other species nor does it pollute the biotic and abiotic environment.
He wrote that Wolbachia is a natural bacteria in insects which is also present in around 6 out of 10 types of insects in the world including butterflies, fruit flies and bees.
Wolbachia is injected into mosquitoes Aedes aegypti can reduce the replication of the dengue virus so that it can reduce the capacity of mosquitoes as dengue vectors.
One method of releasing Wolbachia is when male mosquitoes injected with Wolbachia bacteria mate with female mosquitoes without Wolbachia, the eggs will not hatch, thus having the effect of decreasing the population. Or by the method of releasing male and female mosquitoes with Wolbachia to produce mosquito eggs with Wolbachia.
Reducing 77% of Dengue Cases
The benefits of technology for releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes have been successfully carried out in Yogyakarta. The result was a 77% reduction in dengue cases and decline fogging as much as 83% in the discharge area.
This strategy is being carried out in parallel by the Ministry of Health for national dengue control and Wolbachia technology has become part of the dengue control program innovation. Therefore, Riris said that the Ministry of Health would continue this program in five other cities in Indonesia to reduce the number of dengue fever cases.
“Currently the Ministry of Health is conducting pilot implementation projects in 5 cities in Indonesia. West Jakarta, Bandung City, Semarang City, Bontang and Kupang,” he said.
Support from the community and local government is also expected so that the application of this technology can be implemented to reduce the incidence of dengue fever cases. This is like placing buckets filled with mosquito eggs carried out by community cadres and NGOs with technical supervision.
Editor: Mardiana Makmun
(mardiana.makmun@investor.id)
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Wolbachia: The Mosquitoes Saving Lives
Jakarta, investor.id – So, folks, imagine a world where mosquitoes don’t just buzz around your head but actually cut down on dengue fever by a staggering 77%! No, it’s not a scene from a sci-fi flick; it’s real science involving our not-so-sweet friends, the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Equipped with Wolbachia bacteria, these tiny warriors could be our best shot at stopping the dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) menace over the next 30 years. Sounds like a plot twist, doesn’t it?
The Science Behind the Buzz
Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, a researcher from Gadjah Mada University, confidently proclaimed that these Wolbachia-bearing mosquitoes are at a “very low risk.” As we sit back, enjoying our evening, it’s comforting to think that in three decades, the threat from DHF will be, how should I put it? Negligible? Well, thank you to science for giving us some hope, and wait for it… they don’t even infect humans! They’re like that annoying friend who eats all your snacks but doesn’t make you sick. Isn’t that lovely?
What’s Wolbachia, Anyway?
Now, let’s break things down a bit. Wolbachia is a natural bacteria found in insects: from butterflies to fruit flies, and even bees! Injected into our little Aedes aegypti friends, it puts a damper on the dengue virus’s party, reducing their ability to spread the disease. Talk about turning the tables! Just think, it’s like giving mosquitoes a pair of handcuffs and saying, “Not today, dengue!”
The Mosquito Population Plan
Here’s where it gets interesting. By releasing male mosquitoes injected with Wolbachia to mate with their uninfected female counterparts, we get some real-life “The Parent Trap” action — the eggs won’t hatch. Or, if we release both sexes, we’re set to produce more Wolbachia-supercharged insects. It’s like evolutionary matchmaking, but with fewer roses and a lot more wingbeats!
77% Reduction in Dengue?
The cutting-edge technology has already rolled out in Yogyakarta, where results show a whopping 77% reduction in dengue cases. Just think about that — a staggering decline in fogging as well. Isn’t it delightful when science turns mosquito control into a success story?
Nationwide Amplitude
The Indonesian Ministry of Health is clearly on board with this initiative. They’re now piloting this innovative plan in five cities: West Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Bontang, and Kupang. And they’re calling for community and local government support, which feels like the opening scene of a feel-good movie about a local community coming together to tackle a problem with the bad guys — in this case, the less-than-charming dengue virus!
So, folks, next time you see a mosquito flying around, remember, it might just be a little warrior outfitted with the gift of Wolbachia, taking one for the team to help us say, “Buzz off, dengue!” Now that’s the kind of mosquito we want to support, isn’t it?
**Interview with Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad on Wolbachia-Infused Mosquitoes and Dengue Reduction Strategies**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Riris. You’ve been conducting research on the Wolbachia bacteria and its impact on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for dengue control. Can you explain how this process works and its potential benefits?
**Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad:** Thank you for having me! The key element here is the Wolbachia bacteria, which is a natural microbe found in many insect species. When we inject Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, it significantly reduces the replication of the dengue virus within them. This lowers their capacity to transmit the disease.
**Editor:** That sounds promising! You mentioned that releasing these mosquitoes could lead to a 77% reduction in dengue cases. Can you elaborate on that success story from Yogyakarta?
**Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad:** Certainly! In our pilot project in Yogyakarta, after releasing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes, we observed a remarkable 77% reduction in dengue cases. Additionally, we noted an 83% decrease in the need for fogging in the treated areas, which indicates that our method not only protects health but also minimizes environmental disturbance.
**Editor:** Fascinating findings. What further steps are being taken to expand this initiative across Indonesia?
**Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad:** The Ministry of Health is actively piloting this program in five other cities: West Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Bontang, and Kupang. Our goal is to implement these strategies nationwide to control and ultimately reduce dengue fever cases significantly. Community and local government support are crucial for this initiative to be successful.
**Editor:** What do you want the public to know about the safety and environmental impact of using Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes?
**Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad:** I want to emphasize that these mosquitoes pose a very low risk; they do not infect humans, and there’s no horizontal transmission to other species. Wolbachia does not pollute the ecosystem as well. It’s essential to understand that this is a safe and environmentally friendly approach to managing dengue.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Riris, for sharing these insights. It’s encouraging to hear about such innovative approaches in public health. We look forward to seeing how this initiative develops in the coming years.
**Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for public health innovation, and together we can combat dengue effectively.
