Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in more than 60 per cent of insect species around us, including butterflies, dragonflies, fruit flies, and various mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus (which already commonly bite humans), but not in the Aedes aegypti mosquito (the primary vector of dengue). Wolbachia has not been shown to infect humans or other mammals, even when carried by biting insects.

The Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito is not considered a genetically modified organism, as confirmed by the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) in Singapore. This is because there is no tampering or modification of the genes of the mosquito.Wolbachia technology is considered a biological control method.

More information on Wolbachia technology can be found here.