NEA Expands Mosquito Sterilization Program to 580,000 Singapore Households for Dengue Prevention

By
Loh Huey Xin
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The National Environment Agency (NEA) will expand its mosquito sterilization program this year and trial the release of male Aedes mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria in dengue fever active zones to support existing traditional control measures.

Yes, you read that right. NEA is releasing more mosquitoes to help combat dengue.

Expansion of Project Wolbachia

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng said on Tuesday (4 Mar 2025) during the Parliamentary Committee of Supply debate that Project Wolbachia has helped Singapore avoid large-scale dengue outbreaks in the past two years.

The authorities plan to expand the coverage to Jurong East and Jurong West in February and April this year, increasing coverage to 580,000 households.

NEA announced last October that it would expand the mosquito sterilization program, increasing coverage from the current 480,000 households to 580,000 households by the first quarter of this year.

By the end of next year, coverage is expected to further expand to 800,000 households across the island, accounting for half of the total households in the country.

In response to queries from zaobao.sg, NEA pointed out that the two facilities currently responsible for breeding male Aedes mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria are steadily increasing production capacity.

Authorities expect the third mosquito breeding facility to be completed next year, operated by new entrant Google Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

According to previous reports, authorities had originally planned to complete construction of the third facility in the second quarter of this year.

Officials said the schedule adjustment was made to allow more time to fine-tune and optimize the construction of the new facility to make it sustainable and more cost-effective, ensuring the success of this long-term program.

Pilot Program in Dengue Active Zones

Baey Yam Keng, who is also Senior Minister of State for Transport, said authorities will launch a pilot program to understand the ability of Wolbachia technology to block virus transmission in dengue active zones.

From 23 February to 1 March 2025, Singapore reported 82 new local dengue fever cases, 11 more than the previous week’s 71 cases, according to the latest data on NEA’s website.

As of Tuesday, there were 15 dengue active zones, including five black zones with at least 10 cumulative cases each.

As of 1 March 2025, the cumulative number of dengue cases since the beginning of the year reached 866.

Improved Rodent Control Measures

Mr Baey said that over the past year, NEA has worked with various parties to improve home environments and garbage management to eliminate rodent problems.

The authorities have also provided training and resources such as guidelines to help relevant parties comprehensively address rat infestation issues.

He revealed that authorities have successfully tested the use of thermal imaging cameras to track rodents and detect data on potential food sources, gathering areas, and movement paths of rats.

The authorities also share this data with town councils and premises operators to take appropriate preventive measures.

NEA and the Singapore Food Agency conducted over 1,000 enforcement actions against violations involving rodent infestations last year, almost double the number in 2023.

Mr Baey reminded that from 1 April 2025, authorities will strengthen enforcement and hold accountable premises owners who do not properly dispose of garbage.

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Loh Huey Xin