SAMARINDA – In an effort to reduce the number of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) cases in East Kalimantan (Kaltim), Bontang City will become a pilot for the Wolbachia Technology program. Bontang city was chosen because it has the highest number of dengue cases in East Kalimantan.
Wolbachia technology itself is a natural bacterium, a symbiont commonly found in arthropods, with a mechanism that inhibits the replication of the dengue virus played by Wolbachia.
The Head of the East Kalimantan Health Service (Dinkes), Dr. Jaya Mualimin, said that the Wolbachia pilot program is planned to be held in Bontang City in September 2023.
“This is a direct directive from the Ministry of Health. The implementation of the first pilot program will be carried out in Bontang City in September,” said Dr Jaya when interviewed by the media crew some time ago.
Dr Jaya revealed that this pilot program was the first time it had been carried out. The goal itself is to minimize the spread of dengue cases. He said this was able to reduce the number of dengue cases in East Kalimantan by up to 77 percent.
“The results of this study were able to reduce the incidence rate (IR) of Dengue by 77 percent and reduce hospital admissions by 86 percent,” explained Dr. Jaya.
Meanwhile, for the performance of Wolbachia itself, Dr. Jaya said the mosquitoes with Wolbachia released would later interbreed with Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes carrying DHF.
“After this crossbreeding, it will produce offspring of Wolbachia mosquitoes,” he said.
“Wolbachia itself has been proven effective and has been used in various developed countries to reduce dengue rates,” he continued.
To make the Wolbachia pilot program successful, said Dr Jaya, the commitment of regional heads with all cross-sectoral and cross-related programs is also needed. (adv)
Reporter: Viqih Jati Kusuma
Editor : Nicha Ratnasari
2023-08-31 12:29:24
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