Small-scale field study

What is the study about?

Field studies are necessary to demonstrate that the mosquitoes behave in the same way in the urban environment as they do in the laboratory. NEA is conducting a small-scale field study at three selected sites in Singapore, to gain a further understanding of the behaviour of male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in our urban environment. Only male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes will be released, and male mosquitoes (regardless of whether or not they carry Wolbachia) do not bite or transmit disease. The study will help us determine:

When will the study be carried out? 

From October 2016, for around 6 months

Where will the study be carried out? 

The following three sites have been carefully selected for the small-scale field study:

• Braddell Heights
• Nee Soon East
• Tampines West

The three sites have been selected based on a number of criteria:

• These sites represent a cross-section of typical housing estates in Singapore;
• These estates have seen dengue outbreaks previously and/or have Aedes aegypti mosquitoes present in the environment;
• NEA has been monitoring the mosquito population in these sites for up to three years, and there is therefore a baseline from which to make comparative studies.

The data collected from the small-scale field study are required to support the design of a subsequent suppression trial, in which male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes will be released for further tests on their ability to reduce the Aedes aegypti mosquito population.

How will the male mosquitoes be released?

An average of 1 to 3 male mosquitoes per person will be released regularly at each of the selected sites over the six-month study period.

Mosquitoes will not be released directly into homes. NEA researchers will be releasing the male mosquitoes at public spaces around houses and blocks. Release points may include stairwells, void decks, open spaces between blocks of high-rise homes, and outside landed homes from the streets. These male mosquitoes may fly around and enter homes to seek out females and find shelter. However, they will not bite or transmit disease.

Residents at the selected sites do not have to do anything differently. They are encouraged to continue to carry out mosquito control procedures and practise the 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout as normal.

How can you help? 

We encourage everyone to learn about Wolbachia technology, and share information on Wolbachia technology and the small-scale field study with their family and friends. If successful, Wolbachia technology has the potential to naturally contribute to dengue control in Singapore.

To monitor mosquito behaviour, three types of mosquito traps will be placed within the selected sites, and in the surrounding areas: the ovitrap, Gravitrap and fan-based trap.  NEA is inviting residents who wish to contribute to the research, to volunteer to host fan-based mosquito traps in their homes and premises. Resident volunteers will be compensated for the electricity used to power the fan-based traps. At the end of the study period, resident volunteers can retain the fan-based traps to continue catching mosquitoes in their homes.

Residents will also be invited to scheduled talks and dialogue sessions (e.g. “coffee chat” sessions), and if they require more information, will be asked to contact 1800-CALL-NEA (1800-2255-632) and refer to the Wolbachia link here.