Apocalypse M

Scientists and organisations are trying to engineer the mosquito’s extinction, but questions remain about the method’s efficacy and its unintended consequences

- LESTER TAN

BY THE TIME this story goes to print, the world is probably still contending with the spread of the novel coronavirus that had originated in China. Even as the world’s fears are centred on its contagion, familiar threats persist. I watched my sister fight for her life after a mosquito bite infected her with dengue fever and caused her immune system to collapse. Her blood platelet levels plummeted and she struggled with severe fevers that no amount of ibuprofen could manage. Had her body not fought back in time, she could have suffered internal haemorrhaging and we would have lost her.

Evil Lurks In Stagnant Waters

Mosquitoes have long been vectors of various deadly diseases, and claim an estimated 725,000 human lives each year. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 390 million cases of dengue infections are reported every year, with Asia accounting for 70 per cent of that figure. Singapore isn’t immune – its first major dengue outbreak in 2005 saw 14,209 cases and 27 fatalities.

In Singapore, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is perennially engaged in efforts aimed at reducing mosquito populations. Measures include regular fogging to kill adult mosquitoes, and the application of insecticides around places like drains and roof gutters to target any mosquito larva. The NEA also conducts inspections of premises for mosquito breeding sites, with those found guilty liable for fines of $200.

Nonetheless, in 2019 there were 1,890 new cases of dengue and 20 fatalities. The first month of 2020 alone saw 408 cases. We could definitely use some stronger measures to eradicate mosquitoes.

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