Bandung – Approaching the rainy season, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is something that must be anticipated in the city of Bandung. Bearing in mind that according to 2023 records, the city of Bandung is the area with the most dengue cases in West Java. In fact, the number of cases has reached more than 1,000 cases.
The capital of West Java was chosen as the first city where the Wolbachia mosquito will spread. The eggs of the Aedes aegypti type mosquito will be injected with Wolbachia germs. The bacteria that can grow in the bodies of these insects are thought to be able to paralyze the dengue virus in the bodies of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, so that the mosquito cannot transmit the virus to the human body.
When met in his office, the Head of the Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Division of the Bandung City Health Office, Ira Dewi Jani, explained that his room was also a breeding ground for these ‘expensive’ mosquitoes. Mosquito eggs are allowed to develop and hatch in a small bucket filled with water.
“So the city of Bandung became a pilot project for the Wolbachia mosquito. The research was already in Yogya. It’s an honor for the city of Bandung to be the first place. Just imagine that dengue fever cases in Yogyakarta have fallen by 77%, so who doesn’t want to implement it? This is the room I tried first “So the first one. I wonder what will happen if it is placed in people’s homes,” said Ira detikjabar, Thursday (9/11/2023).
It is hoped that the Wolbachia program will be one of the efforts that can reduce dengue cases.
However, Ira admitted that it was natural that people might feel unfamiliar with this innovative mosquito cultivation. Because, these mosquitoes can still cause itching and bumps. However, it will no longer be able to spread the dengue virus.
“It’s normal for those who don’t know to be afraid. These mosquitoes still cause bumps and itching. But I don’t pat or pat or leubar (darling), this is an expensive mosquito. So the Aedes aegypti mosquito that was injected with the Wolbachia germ, is safe and won’t spread dengue “Then later it will breed with other Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,” explained Ira.
He also told about the advanced innovations in these mosquitoes. First, the eggs are injected with Wolbachia germs. This method is certainly not easy, because it requires sophisticated technology. In fact, the injection and germs can only be seen in a large vector laboratory in the Salatiga area, Central Java.
It was explained that if the mosquito bites someone with the dengue virus, the virus sucked in by the mosquito will die with the wolbachia bacteria. So that the Aedes aegypti mosquito can no longer spread the dengue virus to the human body.
Ira said that wolbachia is often found in everyday life. These bacteria are found in the bodies of fruit flies and small animals that usually like to fly on bananas or fruit.
“Later Aides aegypti will lay eggs. Now the eggs are injected with the Wolbachia germ. Later the eggs will be brought here and have to be in water so they can hatch. So if there are sufferers
DHF is bitten by a mosquito, the dengue virus that is transferred to the biting mosquito will not be transmitted. The virus is dead, it doesn’t contain dengue anymore. “Then wobachia germs won’t move to us, the mosquitoes won’t be transmitters,” said Ira.
Wolbachia mosquitoes are currently still being prepared for production. If the number is sufficient, these mosquitoes will be brought to the city of Bandung and placed in large boxes in every residential area, especially those prone to dengue fever.
Later, 33,000 buckets will be prepared which will be distributed throughout the city of Bandung. However, the number of distributions will not be the same in each sub-district.
“God willing, at the end of this year, in November we will launch mosquito farming in one of the sub-districts of the city of Bandung. At the moment we are preparing for enough egg production, later every 70 meters will be provided with Wolbachia mosquito boxes in residential areas. Basically it’s not allowed in hospitals and homes elderly, because sorry (It’s a pity) for toddlers and elderly people to get bumps,” he said.
Please note, Ujungberung District is included in the 10 sub-districts with the most dengue fever cases in Bandung City in 2022, so it has become the Wolbachia Pilot Project in Bandung City.
There are 5 sub-districts that are the Wolbachia Pilot Project in Ujungberung, including Pasanggrahan Subdistrict, Pasilow Subdistrict, Cigending Subdistrict, Pasirwangi Subdistrict and Pasirjati Subdistrict. While waiting, the fogging process is still being carried out to prevent dengue fever.
“Now, while we wait, to reduce dengue fever, we still need to continue fogging. The cost of Wolbachia is expensive at the start, but if you fog regularly, it’s even more expensive. Apart from that, fogging contains chemicals. Later, when there are Wolbachia mosquitoes, they will mate with them. “Local mosquitoes and their eggs are automatically Wolbachia, no need for further injection,” continued Ira.
(aau/yum)
2023-11-09 14:30:21
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