Brazilian researchers breed mosquitoes as part of a study. The insects receive a bacterium resistant to dengue but also to chikungunya. The goal? Natural transmission to future generations of mosquitoes and reduced risk to humans.
The mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti type are the most important vectors of dengue fever and chikungunya. However, researchers at the Fiocruz Institute (Brazil) are breeding them. They were also interested in the Wolbachia bacterium , known to be resistant to the diseases in question. Their experiment is based on the idea of inoculating the bacteria into mosquitoes with the hope that it will be passed on to future generations.
As the AP news agency explains in an article from November 22, 2019, this experiment was launched in 2015 as part of the World Mosquito Program. Program director Cameron Simmons said modified mosquitoes are regularly released in Niteroi, a town near Rio de Janeiro. Remember in passing that dengue fever affects hundreds of millions of people in this country, sometimes causing death.
According to the researchers, cases of dengue fever and chikungunya are significantly reduced in the targeted area. The experiment would therefore bear fruit, since dengue fever cases have been reduced by at least 70% . In addition, tests have shown that, in the area, 90% of mosquitoes now carry the Wolbachia bacterium. If this method seems to have convinced, the latter cannot alone solve the problem. Indeed, reproductive foci represent a real risk that the population must help to destroy. In other words, it is a question of reducing the presence of stagnant water as much as possible.
Be aware that the "Wolbachia" method is not new in itself. Born in Australia about 10 years ago, it has been practiced there very recently. This seems to work, but the modified mosquito releases must be regular. Indeed, it is a question of ensuring effectiveness over the long term . Unfortunately, Cameron Simmons has already explained that the next mosquito releases in Niteroi are suspended due to budget cuts.
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