- Project Wolbachia in Singapore expands to five new sites.
- The dengue-fighting mosquitoes’ project aims to reduce dengue risk by 75%.
- Expansion will cover 580,000 households by 2025.
Singapore’s fight against dengue takes a big step forward with Project Wolbachia’s expansion.
Key Terms Simplified
- Project Wolbachia is a plan to release special mosquitoes that can’t spread dengue.
- Aedes aegypti is a type of mosquito that can spread dengue fever.
- Gravitrap is a special trap used to catch and count mosquitoes.
Project Wolbachia Expands to New Areas
On 3 October 2024, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, announced big news about Project Wolbachia.
The project will grow to cover five more areas in Singapore.
This expansion will start in October 2024.
It will reach more homes, going from 480,000 to 580,000 households.
New Project Sites and Timeline
The National Environment Agency (NEA) shared details about where and when the project will expand.
Here’s the plan for the new sites:
- Hougang: Begins 21 Oct 2024
- Serangoon Central: Begins in late 2024
- Serangoon North: Also starts in late 2024
- Jurong East: Begins in early 2025
- Jurong West: Also starts in early 2025
NEA will release special male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes in these areas twice a week.
They will do this in the mornings.
How This Dengue-Fighting Mosquitoes’ Project Works
Project Wolbachia uses a clever way to fight dengue.
It releases male mosquitoes that have Wolbachia bacteria.
These males mate with female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
The eggs from this mating don’t hatch.
This helps reduce the number of mosquitoes that can spread dengue.
Project Success and Benefits
According to NEA, the project has shown great results.
Ms Grace Fu stated, “Residents living in these sites are about 75 per cent less likely to be infected with dengue.”
This means the project really helps keep people safe from dengue.
The study also found that Aedes aegypti mosquito numbers dropped by 80-90%.
This is a big win in the fight against mosquitoes and dengue.
Community Involvement is Key
NEA stressed that everyone needs to help for the project to work well.
They said, “A positive outcome is only possible with the sustained vigilance of the community.”
This means people need to keep doing their part to stop mosquitoes from breeding.
Residents should check for standing water in their homes and gardens.
They should also let NEA staff do their work when they visit.
How NEA Will Keep Track
NEA has a smart way to check if the project is working.
They use something called a Gravitrap system.
These traps are placed all over Singapore.
They help count how many mosquitoes are in an area.
NEA said, “The number of Wolbachia-Aedes mosquito releases will be adjusted according to the abundance of Aedes aegypti population.”
This means they’ll release more or fewer mosquitoes based on what they find.
Working Together for Success
Project Wolbachia isn’t just NEA’s work.
Many groups are helping:
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | Helps with health aspects |
| Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | Provides research support |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Also helps with research |
| Dengue Expert Advisory Panel (DEAP) | Gives advice on the project |
This teamwork shows how important the project is for Singapore.
What Residents Should Know
If you live in one of the new project areas, here’s what to expect:
- You’ll see posters in your lift lobbies about the project.
- NEA’s website will have updates about mosquito releases.
- Staff might visit to check for mosquito breeding spots.
- You might see more male mosquitoes, but they don’t bite.
Remember, even with this project, it’s still important to prevent mosquito breeding at home.
Looking Ahead
Project Wolbachia is a big step in Singapore’s efforts to keep everyone healthy.
It shows how science can help solve health problems.
As the project grows, it could make Singapore safer from dengue.
By working together, Singapore hopes to win the fight against dengue and create a healthier future for everyone.
