NEA to expand Project Wolbachia to 5 new areas by Oct. 2026, covering 50% of S'pore households in total

The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be expanding Project Wolbachia to five new areas — Bukit Panjang, Little India, Pioneer, Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio — from April to October 2026 as part of efforts to curb the transmission of dengue virus via Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

50 per cent coverage by end-2026

In a Mar. 13 news release, NEA shared that the upcoming expansion will raise coverage by about 100,000 households.

This will bring the total household coverage to more than 800,000 households by the end of 2026, reaching 50 per cent coverage and marking a milestone in Singapore's dengue control efforts.

October 2026 will also be the 10th anniversary of Project Wolbachia.

80 to 90 per cent population reduction

"While residents will see a temporary increase in mosquitoes with the release of the male non-biting Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, studies have shown significant benefits in release areas," NEA explained.

In a study carried out between 2022 to 2024, release areas saw an 80 to 90 per cent reduction in Aedes aegypti mosquito populations, while residents experienced over 70 per cent lower dengue risk, NEA said.

Compared to residents living in areas with no Project Wolbachia releases, those living in release areas are 45 per cent less likely to contract dengue, the agency added.

When a Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti male mosquito mates with a female that does not carry the Wolbachia bacterium, their resulting eggs do not hatch, which over time will lead to a decline in the species' population.

Apart from dengue, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are also vectors for diseases such as zika and chikungunya.

Residents in Project Wolbachia release areas may still encounter bites from other mosquito species not targeted by the programme.

Sustained community vigilance remains essential to complement the impact of Project Wolbachia, NEA said, adding that residents are reminded to practise the "B-L-O-C-K" steps regularly.

The B-L-O-C-K steps are:

• Break up hardened soil
• Lift and empty flowerpot plates
• Overturn pails and wipe their rims
• Change water in vases
• Keep roof gutters clear and place BTI insecticide inside

Top image via Canva