Project Wolbachia

Explain Like I’m Five

Releasing mosquitoes sounds backwards, but these males are used to interrupt the next generation of the target species. Male mosquitoes do not bite. The programme works on the mosquito population around homes, rather than treating people who have dengue.

How It Works

1. NEA releases male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia, a bacterium.
2. When they mate with urban female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes without Wolbachia, the resulting eggs do not hatch.
3. Repeated releases aim to reduce the target mosquito population over time.

Where You’ll Run Into It

In participating neighbourhoods, including areas of HDB blocks. Releases take place in shared spaces; NEA has used locations such as stairwells, void decks and spaces between blocks.

Example

“Why are they releasing mosquitoes around the blocks?”

A resident learns that the released males are part of a programme to suppress the local Aedes aegypti population, rather than an attempt to increase it.

The Part People Get Wrong

This is mosquito control, not a vaccine or treatment. It targets one mosquito species and does not eliminate all mosquitoes or all dengue risk; other mosquito-control work continues alongside it.