Research

Wolbachia-Aedes Mosquito Suppression Strategy

Project Wolbachia Update

15 June 2022: 

Additional 1,400 HDB blocks to get releases of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes from July 2022, bringing total coverage of the project to about 30% of all HDB blocks in Singapore and more than 300,000 households. Click here for more information on release sites and schedule. Click here for more information on the release sites and schedule.

Click the links below to see the results of Project Wolbachia in the respective study sites:

Project Wolbachia Singapore_logo

Using male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti (Wolbachia-Aedes) mosquitoes to reduce the dengue mosquito population

NEA’s Environmental Health Institute has studied various novel mosquito control methods, and has found that the Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology is most suitable for Singapore’s context. NEA’s Dengue Expert Advisory Panel (DEAP), comprising experts from Singapore, Australia, the UK, and the US, has also recommended that Singapore explore the use of the Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology to further reduce the risk of dengue.

Releases of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes have reduced Aedes aegypti mosquito populations at study sites in Yishun and Tampines, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok towns by up to 98 per cent. Correspondingly, the core areas of the study sites with at least one year of releases saw up to 88 per cent fewer dengue cases, compared to areas without releases. Click on the links below to find out more about Wolbachia-Aedes technology:

NEA’s phased approach

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Vector Control Advisory Group recommends that Wolbachia suppression technology be carefully piloted under operational conditions. These pilots should involve rigorous, independent monitoring and evaluation.

In line with these recommendations, NEA has been testing and implementing Wolbachia-Aedes suppression via a phased approach. Our trials start small and, if successful, progress in size and complexity. This allows us to troubleshoot any issues that may arise, and to design the next phase based on solid evidence. Such a phased approach is now recommended by the WHO and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Click on the phase you are interested in to find out more:

Project Wolbachia Timeline

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