Central Java Health Office Socializes Wolbachia Mosquitoes To Prevent Dengue Fever

Officers showed the Aedes aegypti virus eggs with Wolbachia which will be placed in the residents' yard in Yogyakarta, Wednesday (31/8/2023). (ANTARA PHOTO/Andreas Fitri Atmoko/16)

The Central Java Provincial Health Office invites all parties to play an active role in socializing the Aedes aegypti mosquito distribution program that has been injected with Wolbachia bacteria as an effort to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

"The success of this program is greatly influenced by community involvement, as well as the commitment of all parties, including in facing the challenges of public distrust regarding the Wolbachia mosquito," said Head of the Central Java Health Office Yunita Dyah Suminar as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, December 2.

He revealed, one of the challenges faced in the successful spread of the Wolbachia mosquito is that there are hoaxes that can lead to wrong perceptions in society. According to him, the community may refuse because they do not yet have knowledge of this program.

"Therefore, we hope that both SKPD and public organizations, from HAKLI, IDI, and PKK, can provide understanding to the community, for the success of the program, and the case of dengue can be controlled," he said.

Semarang City, Central Java, was chosen as one of five regencies/cities that became a pilot project for the Implementation of Aedes Aegyptiber-Wolbachia Mosquito Technology.

The determination is contained in the Decree of the Minister of Health Number HK.01.07/MENKES/1341/2022 concerning the Implementation of the Dengue Management Project Pilot with the Wolbachia Method.

The Semarang City Government launched the Semarang Wolbachia Ing City Program (Wingko) at the end of May in Tembalang District which has densely populated contours, many trees, and puddles of water.

Last September, 12 sub-districts in Tembalang sub-district were scattered by Wolbachia mosquitoes, following in 11 sub-districts in Banyumanik District on October 23, and in 16 sub-districts in Gunungpati District on November 21, 2023.

With success in the three sub-districts, the Semarang City Health Office targets the spread of Wolbachia mosquitoes to target all areas in the capital city of Central Java next year.*