Release of anti-dengue mozzies took some residents by surprise

More targeted engagements to be explored to boost awareness: community Baey Yam Keng

- Cheryl Tan

The release of mosquitoes to combat dengue, as part of a project in various estates, has caused some alarm among residents who did not know about the move.

Known as Project Wolbachia, it involves releasing male mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria to control the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue.

"One pre-school administrator who was unaware of the start of the project reported that the school suddenly saw swarms of mosquitoes, (which led) to some degree of fear and alarm among the children," said Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC).

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Ms Yeo added that some residents had given feedback on an increased number of mosquito bites and that, according to one of them, this had led to skin sensitivity and rashes.