"Wolbachia will not be transmitted from the Aedes aegypti mosquito to humans or from mosquitoes to others," acting head of disease prevention and control at the Jakarta Health Service, Dr. Maryati Kasiman, said at an online seminar on Wednesday.
She explained that the eggs of an Aedes aegypti mosquito with Wolbachia are not transmitted through its proboscis. Therefore, humans bitten by an Aedes aegypti mosquito with Wolbachia would not contract any specific disease.
According to Kasiman, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia look the same as Aedes aegypti mosquitoes without the bacteria, therefore, people cannot tell the difference.
However, she urged the public to not worry.
Wolbachia is a natural bacteria found in 60 percent of insects. The bacteria does not infect humans or other vertebrates, and it does not harm humans or animals, she explained.
Currently, the Jakarta government is preparing to place 1,400 buckets filled with Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs containing Wolbachia bacteria in the North Kembangan area, West Jakarta on September 27, 2024.
Every two weeks, mosquito breeding in the area will be monitored. This measure is expected to reduce dengue fever cases in the city, Kasiman said.
She informed that the program is an additional innovation for dealing with dengue fever. Earlier, the government carried out mosquito nest eradication (PSN) with 3M Plus; larvicidation, or eradicating mosquito larvae by sprinkling larvicidal powder in water reservoirs; and fumigation.
"During PSN, inspections are usually carried out to check buckets or water reservoirs, except for this bucket containing mosquito eggs with Wolbachia. Other water reservoirs must be drained and brushed," she said.
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Translator: Lia Wanadriani S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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