Baey Yam Keng on incidence of mosquito bites in Project Wolbachia areas
When Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes are first released in new areas under Project Wolbachia, the National Environment Agency (NEA) typically gets more feedback relating to mosquitoes. While the male mosquitoes do not bite, their increased presence is noticeable. The increase in feedback is, however, temporary as residents become accustomed to the programme, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng. He said NEA data shows that after a few months of release, the population of the wild-type Aedes aegypti mosquito falls by as much as 98 per cent. Bites from these mosquitoes fall correspondingly. Dengue cases drop by up to 70 per cent in study sites with at least one year of releases. Responding to an MP’s question in Parliament on Wednesday (Oct 5), Mr Baey said NEA will consider exploring more targeted direct engagement to raise residents’ awareness of the programme and assuage any initial alarm.
When Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes are first released in new areas under Project Wolbachia, the National Environment Agency (NEA) typically gets more feedback relating to mosquitoes. While the male mosquitoes do not bite, their increased presence is noticeable. The increase in feedback is, however, temporary as residents become accustomed to the programme, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng. He said NEA data shows that after a few months of release, the population of the wild-type Aedes aegypti mosquito falls by as much as 98 per cent. Bites from these mosquitoes fall correspondingly. Dengue cases drop by up to 70 per cent in study sites with at least one year of releases. Responding to an MP’s question in Parliament on Wednesday (Oct 5), Mr Baey said NEA will consider exploring more targeted direct engagement to raise residents’ awareness of the programme and assuage any initial alarm.
Popular Shows
