_{Workers from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Manila’s Department of Public Services (DPS), and “River Warriors” from Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (PRCMO) join forces during an Anti-Dengue, Clearing Operations and Estero Clean-up at the Estero Tripa de Gallina in San Andres Bukid, Manila on June 1, 2021. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File}

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) is set to conduct a research on the use of the Wolbachia bacteria to reduce dengue transmission in the Philippines, according to Secretary Ted Herbosa.

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“Ginamit na ito sa Indonesia at iba pang bansa. May bacteria na inilalagay sa female mosquito para hindi ito magkaka-dengue. Tapos hindi nai-infect ng dengue. So, very promising ito. So, magkakaroon tayo ng research din dito," Herbosa explained.  

According to the World Mosquito Program (WMP), Wolbachia is an extremely common bacteria that “blocks viruses like dengue, chikungunya and Zika from growing in the bodies of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,” reducing the ability of mosquitoes to transmit viruses to people.

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The WMP said it breeds Wolbachia mosquitoes and releases them in areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, which would then reduce the risk of disease in communities. 

“Wolbachia boosts the natural immune system of the mosquito to make it harder for the mosquito to support the virus infection. If the mosquito can’t get infected, then it can’t transmit these viruses to people,” its website said. 

The WMP said the project has been carried out in 14 countries including Colombia, Brazil, Australia, and Indonesia, noting that in “areas where Wolbachia is self-sustaining at a high level, dengue transmission has been significantly reduced.”

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Herbosa said that he is currently in talks with the people behind the Wolbachia program regarding their research, as he noted the importance of vector control to address the problem of dengue.

DENGUE VACCINE 

Meanwhile, aside from the Wolbachia Program, the DOH is also awaiting the results of the application for the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) by Japanese drug company Takeda for its second generation dengue vaccine in the Philippines.

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“Ang FDA medyo aaralin pa iyong mga sina-submit nilang mga requirements at kapag na-approved iyan, dadating,” Herbosa said. 

“The usual process takes about a year eh. So, kung last year nag-apply na sila, anytime this year lalabas na iyan.”

The DOH earlier banned the sale, importation, and distribution of controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia by Sanofi Pasteur due to the drug manufacturer’s “failure to submit post-approval requirements.” 

This comes amid controversy over the deaths of a number of schoolchildren who were among those given the vaccine as part of the government’s immunization campaign.

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