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Wolbachia-Aedes Mosquito Suppression Strategy

Project Wolbachia Update

3 October 2024: 

NEA will be expanding Project Wolbachia – Singapore to five more sites from October 2024 onwards. The expansion, which brings the total coverage from 480,000 to 580,000 households, follows promising results from an ongoing multi-site field study. The initial results from the multi-site field study indicate that residents living in these sites are about 75 per cent less likely to be infected with dengue. This is a result of an 80 to 90 per cent reduction in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population at the study sites.

Expansion of existing Hougang study site: From 21 Oct 2024
Expansion to Serangoon Central: From 29 Oct 2024
Expansion to Serangoon North: From 5 Nov 2024
Expansion to Jurong East and Jurong West: From Q1 2025

Click here for more information on the release sites and schedule.

Find the latest media release here.

Project Wolbachia Singapore_logo

Using male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti (Wolbachia-Aedes) mosquitoes to reduce the dengue mosquito population

NEA’s Environmental Health Institute has studied various novel mosquito control methods, and has found that the Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology is most suitable for Singapore’s context. NEA’s Dengue Expert Advisory Panel (DEAP), comprising experts from Singapore, Australia, the UK, and the US, has also recommended that Singapore explore the use of the Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology to further reduce the risk of dengue.

Results

The heatmaps below show the “eraser effect” where previously dark red areas (indicating high Aedes aegypti mosquito population) gradually faded to low mosquito population after releases. Scientific studies will continue to evaluate the impact of the project and improve the cost effectiveness and deployment strategies for Project Wolbachia.

Heat map Oct 2024


NEA’s phased approach

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Vector Control Advisory Group recommends that Wolbachia suppression technology be carefully piloted under operational conditions. These pilots should involve rigorous, independent monitoring and evaluation.

In line with these recommendations, NEA has been testing and implementing Wolbachia-Aedes suppression via a phased approach. Our trials start small and, if successful, progress in size and complexity. This allows us to troubleshoot any issues that may arise, and to design the next phase based on solid evidence. Such a phased approach is now recommended by the WHO and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Click on the phase you are interested in to find out more:

Project Wolbachia Timeline

Click on the phase you are interested in to find out more: