Researchers Ensure Wolbachia Technology is Safe, Acting Mayor Hopes Bandung's Success
Principal Researcher of the World Mosquito Program (WMP), Adi Utarini, stated that wolbachia technology has been proven safe for humans, animals and the environment. So it could be an effort to prevent dengue fever.
"This has been proven safe, the people of Yogyakarta are an example
"We have lived side by side for 10 years and thank God, so far dengue cases have decreased," he said during the Wolbachia Technology Implementation meeting in the Central Room, Bandung City Hall, Monday, March 18 2024.
Adi Utarini revealed that research on the Aedes aegypti mosquito containing Wolbachia has received recognition and support from WHO and the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI).
"Hopefully we can focus on risk prevention," he hoped
It is known that in October 2023, it was recorded that in Pasanggrahan Village, Ujungberung District, Bandung City, there were 28 residents affected by dengue fever. Ujungberung District is indeed one of the areas in the top 10 highest cases of dengue fever. Therefore, this area became the first point of spread of Wolbachia in Bandung City.
Meanwhile, the Director General of P2P, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, said that before Bandung, the city of Yogyakarta was the first city in Indonesia to implement Wolbachia mosquito technology in controlling dengue fever.
"Since this program started in 2016, the number of dengue fever cases in Yogyakarta City has gradually decreased to 77 percent and the number of hospitalizations has also decreased to 86 percent," he explained.
Apart from Indonesia, Wolbachia technology has been used by 24 other countries.
"Because of that basis, the Minister of Health in 2022 issued a ministerial decision to implement it in 5 cities, one of which is Bandung," he explained.
Responding to this, the Head of the West Java (West Java) Provincial Health Service, Dr. Raden Vini Adiani Dewi admitted that Wolbachia technology was an extraordinary experience in West Java.
"Thank God, thanks to the government's commitment, we can continue implementing Wolbachia Technology until now," he said.
The acting mayor of Bandung, Bambang Tirtoyuliono, really hopes that Wolbachia technology can be successful in the city of Bandung.
"I hope for as much success as possible for Wolbachia technology," he said. (ziz)**
Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office
Yayan A. Brilyana
