PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government has formed a technical team to implement the implementation of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DBD) control using the Wolbachia method

This proactive step by the Bandung City Health Service is in order to overcome serious public health challenges.

This is also the Bandung City Government's commitment to improving the welfare and health of all Bandung City residents.

The formation of the oldest team is in the Decree of the Mayor of Bandung Number 440/Kep.066- Dinkes/2024 concerning the Formation of a Technical Team for Implementing Dengue Fever Control Using the Wolbachia Method in the City of Bandung and the high number of DHF cases in the City of Bandung.

This technical team is expected to work effectively and collaboratively to overcome the dengue fever problem in Bandung City with an innovative and sustainable approach.

Bandung City Government and People's Welfare Assistant, Asep Gufron, explained that every year dengue fever cases in Bandung City are quite high and must be addressed immediately.

"Every year the city of Bandung is indicated by a high number of dengue fever cases, and we map out the Ujungberung sub-district which has the most," said Asep on the sidelines of a team meeting at Bandung City Hall (20/3/2024).

Therefore, Asep welcomed positively when the Ministry of Health chose Bandung City as one of five cities to implement the Wolbachia Program. This previous program has been successful in Yogyakarta.

"We can't imagine an experiment. This has been successfully carried out in Yogyakarta. This program must run in the city of Bandung," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Health Service, Anhar Hadian, explained that Wolbachia is not genetic engineering but is a natural bacterium that exists in insects.

"Wolbachia is a natural bacteria that is present in 60 percent of insects such as fruit flies, butterflies, moths and others. However, it doesn't exist in mosquitoes, so this method is needed," he explained.

Anhar also emphasized the results of research which stated that Wolbachia bacteria would not be able to live in the human body or living creatures other than insects.

"Wolbachia cannot survive outside the body of insects, it cannot move into the bodies of humans or livestock so it is not dangerous," he said. (Diskominfo Bandung City/Fauziah)