Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti Mosquito: AWED Study Results and WHO Recommendations for Dengue Control

The results of the AWED study stated that the Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquito could reduce dengue cases by 77.1% and reduce hospitalization due to dengue by 86%. In fact, from the results of this study and results in several other countries that apply WMP technology, Wolbachia technology for Dengue control has been recommended by the WHO Vector Control Advisory Group since 2021.

Regarding support for the Ministry of Health’s request for study results and recommendations regarding the release of Wolbachia mosquito eggs, Riris said that in parallel the Ministry of Health is preparing a national strategy for controlling dengue, and Wolbachia technology has become part of the dengue control program innovation.

“The Ministry of Health will then plan implementation in stages,” he explained.

Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacteria in 6 out of 10 types of insects. Wolbachia in the body of the Aedes aegypti mosquito can reduce the replication of the dengue virus, thereby reducing the mosquito’s capacity as a dengue vector. The main mechanism of action is through food competition between viruses and bacteria, with little food that can support the virus, the virus cannot reproduce.

Through this mechanism, Wolbachia has the potential to reduce the replication of the dengue virus in the mosquito’s body because the Aedes aegypti mosquito with Wolbachia is not a genetically modified organism, considering that the Wolbachia bacteria introduced into the body of Aedes aegypti are identical to the Wolbachia in its original host, namely Drosophila melanogaster.

“We need to know that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito carrying Wolbachia is not the result of genetic modification,” he said.

Riris said that in terms of the safety aspect of Wolbachia, the results of a risk analysis initiated by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education and Balitbangkes, Ministry of Health, in 2016 by forming 20 independent team members from various expertise stated that the Wolbachia mosquito has a low risk level for humans and the environment.

“Their conclusion is that the release of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is at a very low risk, where in the next 30 years the chance of increasing danger is negligible,” he said.

2023-11-18 20:00:07
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