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Since the start of Project Wolbachia in 2016, Singapore has been progressively releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In January, it was announced<\/span> that the project would expand to Balestier-Whampoa, Geylang, Moulmein-Dorset and Pasir Ris.<\/span><\/p>\n Under the project, male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes mosquitoes are released to mate with the female Aedes mosquitoes. The eggs that are produced do not hatch.<\/p>\n Male mosquitoes do not bite and cannot transmit diseases, as they feed only on plant juices, such as nectar.<\/p>\n NEA said that the programme has reduced Aedes mosquito populations by 80 to 90 per cent, and the risk of getting dengue has lowered by more than 70 per cent.<\/span><\/p>\n Residents living next to the release areas were 45 per cent less likely to get dengue than those in areas without releases, it added.<\/p>\n The agency noted that these results “highlight the effectiveness of Project Wolbachia as a complementary tool in Singapore\u2019s comprehensive dengue control strategy”.<\/p>\n The project complements key prevention methods, such as the removal of stagnant water sources and community education initiatives, to fight against dengue transmission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n