Govt considers pilot project using Wolbachia method to strengthen dengue control

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said the government is considering a pilot project to strengthen dengue control efforts using the Wolbachia method.

He made the remarks while attending a meeting at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today (6 May), where officials discussed the potential implementation of the method as part of broader dengue prevention strategies.

The Wolbachia method is a safe, natural and non-GMO technique that introduces Wolbachia bacteria into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, preventing them from transmitting viruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.

Once released, these mosquitoes breed with wild populations, spreading the bacteria and gradually reducing the ability of mosquito populations to transmit disease.

The World Mosquito Program (WMP), headquartered at Monash University in Australia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Bangladesh in December 2025 to support the rollout of the evidence-based intervention.

During the meeting, Dr Claudia Surjadjaja, Director of Advocacy and External Relations at WMP, presented a proposed implementation plan, which is expected to begin in Dhaka North.

Welcoming the collaboration between the ministry and WMP, the health minister stressed the urgency of accelerating preparations ahead of the upcoming dengue season.

He directed relevant officials to work closely with WMP in developing the technical and financial framework required for the project.

WMP reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical assistance and helping mobilise donor support to ensure successful implementation.

The initiative reflects the government's ongoing efforts to adopt innovative and evidence-based approaches to reduce the dengue burden and strengthen public health preparedness in Bangladesh.