PUTRAJAYA has marked a significant milestone in strengthening public health measures with the establishment of a Wolbachia Insectarium in the Federal Territory, aimed at reinforcing efforts to control Aedes mosquitoes and reduce dengue transmission.
The facility, the second of its kind in Malaysia after Johor, was officially opened by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Federal Territories, Datuk Seri Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, together with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad.
It has been developed to support the implementation of the Wolbachia Mosquito Operation, a programme that releases Aedes mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to suppress the spread of dengue.
The launch reflects the continued commitment of Putrajaya Corporation to applying scientific and innovative approaches in addressing mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue fever.
“This Wolbachia Insectarium is very much needed because it helps to reduce dengue cases in Putrajaya and several other areas. This is the second insectarium built by the Ministry of Health after Johor,” Dr. Zaliha said.
“From the perspective of the local authority, we work closely with the Ministry of Health to improve the health of residents in Putrajaya and the Federal Territories, in line with the Healthy City vision,” she added.
Dr. Zaliha was speaking to the media after officiating at the opening of the Putrajaya Wolbachia Insectarium.
The insectarium is a strategic initiative arising from decisions of the Federal Territory of Putrajaya Health Task Force Committee, a key coordination platform for urban public health issues.
The committee comprises multiple agencies, including the Property Management Division, the Department of National Unity and Integration, the Putrajaya Federal Territory Residents’ Representative Council and the COMBI Putrajaya organisation.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that dengue-related deaths nationwide had fallen by 61.3 per cent, to 43 cases, compared with 111 deaths recorded last year.
He added that the total number of dengue cases across the country had also declined by 56.5 per cent, with 51,046 cases recorded as of 6 December, compared with 118,291 cases throughout 2024. - December 15, 2025
