The study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial set in Singapore, to assess if the deployment of male Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can reduce dengue incidence in intervention clusters.
The study is designed as a parallel, two-arm, non-blinded cluster-randomised controlled trial to be conducted in high-rise public housing estates in Singapore. The aim is to determine whether large-scale deployment of male Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes can significantly reduce dengue incidence in intervention clusters. The investigators will use the cluster-randomised design, with the study area comprising 15 clusters with a total area of 10.9 km2, covering approximately 722,000 residents in 1,700 apartment blocks. Eight clusters will be randomly selected to receive the intervention, while the other seven will serve as non-intervention clusters. Intervention efficacy will be estimated through two primary endpoints: (1) odds ratio of Wolbachia exposure distribution (i.e. probability of living in an intervention cluster) among laboratory-confirmed reported dengue cases compared to test-negative controls, and (2) laboratory-confirmed reported dengue counts normalized by population size in intervention versus non-intervention clusters.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
724,428
Releases of male Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
National Environment Agency
Singapore, Singapore
Odds ratio of Wolbachia exposure distribution among laboratory-confirmed reported dengue cases compared to test-negative controls
Dengue cases and dengue test-negative controls data will be obtained from the national surveillance network of diagnostic laboratories which receive samples for dengue testing.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Laboratory-confirmed reported dengue case counts normalized by population size in intervention versus non-intervention clusters
Dengue cases data will be obtained from the national surveillance network of diagnostic laboratories which receive samples for dengue testing.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Prevalence of Ae. aegypti/Ae. albopictus mosquitoes
Data will be obtained from the national gravitrap surveillance system
Time frame: Up to 3 years
Public Attitudes, Perceptions & Knowledge (APK) of Wolbachia and other vector control interventions
Sentiment surveys pre-trial and during the course of the trial, using true/false and Likert-type scales. Higher scores mean better outcomes.
Time frame: Up to 3 years
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