PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has denied that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes have been released in Negeri Sembilan, as claimed in a video that has gone viral on social media. The statement was also issued to refute the claim that Aedes mosquitoes only feed on blood in order to survive. According to Dr Norhayati, female Aedes mosquitoes need blood in order to produce eggs, while both male and female Aedes mosquitoes feed on plant nectar to survive. Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes were not genetically modified and had no adverse effects on mosquitoes or the environment, she added. For accurate information about the operation to release Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes in Malaysia, the public can visit www.infosihat.gov.my or call the Health Ministry hotline at 03-8883 3231, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Source: The Star July 02, 2023 00:22 UTC