SALATIGA, KOMPAS.com – The Aedes aegypti mosquito carrying Wolbachia has been declared safe for humans. This is because the Wolbachia bacteria cannot grow outside its host or humans.
Head of the Center for Research and Development of Disease Vectors and Reservoirs in Salatiga, Akhmad Saikhu, said that the Wolbachia bacteria lives naturally in nature.
“So when this is developed, it can inhibit the dengue virus which causes dengue fever,” he explained, Friday (1/12/2023).
Also read: Bitten by Dozens of Wolbachia Mosquitoes, Deputy Chair of Commission IX DPR RI: No Problem
According to Saikhu, what we need to worry about is not the mosquitoes. But it is a virus carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
“After the Wolbachia mosquito was developed and tested, cases of dengue fever could be reduced,” he explained.
Saikhu said that the Salatiga Research and Development Center for Disease Vectors and Reservoirs can produce 2 million mosquito eggs per week, so that there are a total of 8 million mosquitoes per month.
“Especially for mosquitoes from Salatiga, they were distributed or tested in Bamdung and Bontang,” he said.
“Until now, there are five areas that have been tested for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes containing Wolbachia, namely West Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Kupang and Bontang,” said Saikhu.
According to him, what needs to be done to develop this innovation is local government support and understanding from the community.
“Because this innovation has succeeded in reducing cases of dengue fever significantly. However, this does not leave behind other methods such as eradicating mosquito nests and 3M or draining, covering and burying places that have the potential to become mosquito breeding grounds,” he explained.
Also read: Acting Governor of West Java Says Wolbachia Mosquito Brings Benefits in Reducing Dengue Cases
Saikhu revealed that after Aedes aegypti containing Wolbachia was tested, there was a reduction in dengue fever cases of up to 77 percent, an 86 percent reduction in hospitalized patients, and an 83 percent reduction in fogging.
“So once the number of mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia reaches 60 percent, they will be stopped. The concept is to reproduce naturally, without destroying the ongoing natural processes,” he said.
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2023-12-01 15:49:00
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