WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
With dengue fever being endemic for more than 50 years, Singapore has long implemented vector control measures to reduce transmission.
One of Singapore’s flagship efforts is Project Wolbachia which began in 2016. Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has released male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria in several areas.
When this male mosquito mates with a female Aedes mosquito, the eggs will not hatch.
In Indonesia, the release of Wolbachia mosquitoes has also been carried out in six cities, namely Bontang, Kupang, Semarang, West Jakarta, Bandung and Denpasar, as reported by the Antara news agency this month.
Apart from scientific methods like these, traditional preventive measures are also still important, said Dr. Riris from UGM.
Such as emptying water containers, closing water storage areas, raising fish to eat mosquito larvae, community service and using mosquito repellent spray.
In Indonesia, larva monitoring is carried out by Jumantik officers appointed directly by the regional government, explained Indonesian Ministry of Health spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi. The officers, who receive a salary of IDR 550,000 per month, are tasked with checking mosquito larvae from house to house, usually on Fridays, as reported by Kompas.
Riris said that this action must be carried out on a large scale to have an impact.
Meanwhile in Malaysia, apart from prevention, monitoring and community involvement, the government also collaborates with non-profit organizations for drug development and research. They conducted various clinical trials to reuse drugs that were deemed effective in treating dengue fever.
Among these are drugs commonly used for Hepatitis C. Malaysian Minister of Health, Dr. Dzulkefly said the aim of the research was to bring “care that is effective, affordable and accessible to all within the next five years”.
