SL to introduce a new bacteria to control dengue

The Ministry of Health has taken steps to introduce a bacterium called Wolbachia to control the dengue mosquito population in the country.

Using Wolbachia bacteria to eradicate dengue mosquitoes has successfully been utilised in Australia. The bacteria was introduced after years of laboratory testing and field testing.

The Ministry of Health has decided to release the bacteria into the environment next February, when the pilot project will be carried out in Colombo and Nugegoda. 

The bacteria are to be released in 25 Grama Niladhari Divisions around Colombo, Ministry of Health Deputy Director General Dr. Paba Palihawadana revealed at a media briefing in Colombo on Saturday.

The World Mosquito Eradication Program states that it is timely to introduce the bacteria Wolbachia to control one of the worst epidemics in the world.

Australia was the first country in the world to release the bacteria to control the mosquito-transmitted diseases. No dengue case has been reported in Australia for the last eight years.

The bacteria are being used successfully in 12 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, Vietnam, India, and Mexico.

At the World Mosquito Program, Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes are bred, and in partnership with local communities, released into areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases.

When Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, the bacteria competes with viruses like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever, reducing the transmission of the viruses.

Under this program, all households will be provided with mosquito eggs and a capsule containing the food they need. The mosquitoes can be bred by placing the egg capsule in a container of water and leave it tightly closed for two weeks. The matured mosquitoes are then released into the environment.

The World Mosquito Program aims to successfully roll out the project to 100 million people worldwide by 2023. (Colombopage)