Dissemination of information needs to be carried out so that the community would trust the results of the scientific research that has been carried out.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, on Thursday said that the dissemination of information on the use of mosquitos with Wolbachia bacteria needs to be intensified to address any misconceptions.

"We need to intensify (the dissemination of) information from the security side and filter issues that are counterproductive to our efforts to handle this disease that quite takes a toll in Indonesia," he said in a statement issued by his ministry here.

Wolbachia are natural bacteria found in several types of insects.

According to scientific research conducted by World Mosquito Program (WMP) researchers, mosquitoes injected with Wolbachia bacteria can prevent the replication of the virus that causes dengue fever.

Effendy expressed his appreciation for the team researching the Wolbachia method, which worked hard for 12 years to carry out a scientific trial in four phases in Yogyakarta.

The minister further said he fully supports the implementation of the Wolbachia method to bring benefits to the community.

"Dissemination of information needs to be carried out so that the community would trust the results of the scientific research that has been carried out," he added.

Furthermore, he asked regional governments to support the dissemination of information to residents on the benefits of the Wolbachia method.

He affirmed that his ministry is open to receiving proposals for assistance if regional governments need further technical coordination.

IPB University Professor Damayanti Buchori said that a risk analysis study on the release of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes containing Wolbachia concluded that the possibility or consequences of adverse impacts on ecology, health standards, effectiveness of mosquito population control, and community socioeconomics could be ignored.

However, monitoring and evaluation will still be carried out to prevent risks, she added.

"Monitoring is important so that (we) can detect and respond to any risks that emerge or if they exist later in the future. Ensuring local regulations is also needed because they are related to the biosecurity in each area," she explained.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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