• News Archive
  • Simaster
  • Webmail
  • Directory
  • Crisis Center
  •  English
    • Indonesia
Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada
  • Education
    • Doctoral dissertation
    • Inauguration of Professor
    • Graduation
  • Achievement
  • Research and Innovation
    • Research
    • Innovation
  • Campus Info
    • Cooperation
    • Seminar and Workshop
    • Student Community Service Program
    • Other
  • News Report
  • Home
  • News Report
  • Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Kicks off Battle Against Dengue With Wolbachia-Infected Mosquitoes

Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Kicks off Battle Against Dengue With Wolbachia-Infected Mosquitoes

  • 28 October 2021, 15:01 WIB
  • By: Salma
  • 855
Bantul Resmi Implementasikan Teknologi Wolbachia

The Bantul Regency government officially runs a program implementing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to fight against dengue fever. The program collaborates with the UGM Faculty of Medicine, World Mosquito Program (WMP) Yogyakarta, and the Tahija Foundation. 

Head of Bantul Health Office Agus Budi Raharja said the initiative aims to improve the quality of public health aside from reducing dengue cases in Bantul Regency. Over the years, scientists have been working on breeding Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the natural bacteria Wolbachia.

Research has proven that the said bacteria can suppress the replication of viruses like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever inside the mosquitoes, thereby reducing their ability to transmit viruses to humans. In research conducted in Yogyakarta City, Wolbachia technology was proven effective in reducing dengue cases by 77% and reducing dengue hospitalization rates by 86%. 

Agus explained that 11 sub-districts and 18 health centers in Bantul would participate in this program. The mosquito eggs will be deployed in several public facilities and parent homes (some residents who volunteer to foster the eggs during the 6-month program), with a radius of 50-75 sqm between each release point.

“This program runs in conjunction with other dengue control programs. Hopefully, dengue cases in Bantul will decrease significantly. The participation and cooperation of various parties is the key to ensuring this success,” said Agus.

Chair of the Tahija Foundation Trihadi Saptoadi said as many as 400 million people contract dengue every year, which leads to an economic burden for the community. He hopes this program will provide examples for other cities to implement the technology. In addition, Deputy Regent of Bantul Joko Purnomo hopes the Wolbachia technology will help eradicate fatalities caused by mosquito-borne diseases.

“The Bantul Regency government would like to thank UGM and WMP Yogyakarta for all the efforts to develop the Wolbachia technology,” said Joko.

Assistant Researcher to WMP Yogyakarta Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad highlighted the security aspect of this technology. According to him, the Wolbachia technology is safe because Wolbachia are natural bacteria that can be found in 60% of insects and can only live inside insect cells. They do not cause disease in humans.

Author: Desy

Related News

  • New Ways to Alleviate Dengue Fever, UGM Releases Wolbachia Mosquitoes

    Friday,26 September 2014 - 14:28
  • Wolbachia-Infected Mosquitoes in Bantul Regency Reach 76.8%

    Wednesday,28 December 2022 - 21:12
  • UGM Releases Mosquito with Wolbachia in Bantul

    Monday,08 December 2014 - 14:53
  • Controlling Infection of Dengue Virus with Wolbachia

    Wednesday,08 May 2013 - 11:06
  • Minimising Dengue Fever, Wolbachia Mosquito to Be Released in Yogyakarta

    Friday,29 January 2016 - 8:24

News Releases

  • Geography Alumna’s Aromatic Telon Oil Habbie Named 2023 Indonesia Brand Champion 03 February 2023
    Novita Anggraeni, an alumna of the UGM Faculty of Ge
    Salma
  • Bimasakti UGM Kicks Off Hybrid Technology Research 03 February 2023
    Bimasakti UGM has started researching hybrid technol
    Salma
  • 18,964 UGM Students Receive Scholarships, Director of Student Affairs Says 20 January 2023
    Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) annually allocates hundreds
    Salma
  • Prof. Budi Setiadi Daryono Recounts Origin of His Apple Melon Cultivar 'Hikapel' 16 January 2023
    In 2012, a team of researchers from the UGM Facult
    Salma
  • UGM Graduate Fajar Kelana Named Top 20 International James Dyson Award Winner 13 January 2023
    Fajar Sidik Abdullah Kelana, an alumnus of UGM and
    Salma

Event

No latest event at this time

Universitas Gadjah Mada
UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA
Bulaksumur Yogyakarta 55281
   info@ugm.ac.id
   +62 (274) 588688
   +62 (274) 565223
   +62 811 2869 988

PARTNERSHIP

  • Alumni
  • International Affairs

ABOUT UGM

  • Rector's Welcome
  • History
  • Vission and Mission
  • The Board of Executive
  • Management

VISIT UGM

  • Campus Map
  • Event

REGISTRATION

  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Vocational School
  • Professional Program
  • International Program

© 2023 Universitas Gadjah Mada

PRIVACY POLICYCONTACT