Preparing For The First Release of WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES in Indonesia

 Preparing For The First Release of WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES in Indonesia

In 2013 EDP prepared the groundworks and trial sites for the release of Aedes aegypty mosquitos carrying Wolbachia. EDP also conducted various initiatives to ensure a smooth transition from laboratory to field application in Bantul and Sleman, Yogyakarta.

Throughout 2013 the Tahija Foundation worked hand in hand with the EDP team from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and Universitas Gadjah Mada from Yogyakarta to develop the required infrastructures and obtain the necessary ethical and regulatory clearance for the release of mosquitoes containing Wolbachia. The infrastructures developed include construction of a biosafety level-2 class diagnostic laboratory and an insectarium. The groundwork comprised of entomology survey and persistent enggagement of stakeholders.

Indonesia is the third country to carry out release of mosquitos containing Wolbachia, the first being Australia and the second Vietnam.