Although Wolbachia bacteria, which is used to successfully control the spread of dengue, have been used in many pilot projects to control dengue in this country, spending millions of rupees, it is regrettable that they have been stopped midway for various reasons, says Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights.
This bacterium helps to control the spread of the dengue virus naturally, in a way that is not harmful to the environment, and to suppress the population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the disease, as well as to limit the development of the virus in the mosquito.
The doctor also points out that it is currently being used successfully in many countries such as Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico and India.
He says that although pilot projects have been implemented in Sri Lanka on several occasions to use this bacteria, those projects have been stopped due to various influences.
He points out that in many countries where this bacteria has been used, the mosquito population has been reduced by more than seventy percent, and as a result, those countries have been able to control dengue epidemics.
“This bacteria lives only in the relevant mosquito. This bacteria, which is not harmful to the environment, multiplies in the mosquito’s body and changes the genetic basis of the cells to control the mosquito population and prevent the dengue virus from developing in the mosquito’s cells,” says specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa.
In addition, he points out that many countries in the world are currently using new technology-based methods to control dengue disease, and some countries are even vaccinating young children.