Wolbachia application begins to reduce dengue fever cases in Kembangan

The application of the Wolbachia method in the Kembangan District, West Jakarta, has begun to reduce cases of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DBD) in the area. The Head of the West Jakarta Health Sub-department, Sahruna, stated on Tuesday that based on the latest data up to June 2026, the Incidence Rate (IR) of dengue cases in Kembangan District continues to decline. Kembangan has now fallen to seventh place in West Jakarta for case numbers. “As of 7 June 2026, only three dengue cases have been recorded in Kembangan District. This is a very drastic decrease compared to data from June 2025, which reached 49 cases, and June 2024, which had 42 cases,” said Sahruna. This downward trend is not isolated to June. Throughout the period from January to May 2026, the accumulated dengue cases in Kembangan were recorded at 89 cases. This figure has dropped sharply compared to the same period in 2025, which saw 227 cases, and 2024, which reached 377 cases. Sahruna asserted that the consistent downward graph over recent years was heavily influenced by several mitigation factors, with biological technology intervention as the main driver. “It is true, this decrease is influenced by the Wolbachia method,” he added. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government first launched the Wolbachia-mosquito-based dengue control programme in RW 07, North Kembangan, Kembangan District, in October 2024. Kembangan District was deliberately chosen as the pioneering location for the mosquito release because it once recorded the highest number of dengue cases in 2023, with an IR value reaching 54.1 per 100,000 population. Following successful implementation in North Kembangan, the programme to spread dengue virus-suppressing mosquitoes continues to be expanded gradually to the other five urban villages in Kembangan District, including South Kembangan, North Meruya, South Meruya, Joglo, and Srengseng.