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Australian trial makes history by eliminating 80% of disease carrying mosquitoes

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Australian researchers recently released millions of laboratory modified male mosquitoes in Queensland. They subsequently observed a drop of over 80% in the numbers of disease carrying insects.

Between November 2017 and June 2018, millions of male mosquitoes, who had been infected by a natural bacteria called Wolbachia, were released in several trial areas on the coast of Cassowary in the north of Queensland. The infected mosquitoes naturally mated with females, but the resultant eggs did not hatch, which led to a rapid and significant drop in the local population of mosquitoes. It was essential that only the male mosquitoes were released (as only female mosquitoes bite). Released by the millions into nature, there was no notable impact on humans.

Led by scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the James Cook University in Australia, the experiment targeted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes carry deadly diseases such as dengue fever and the Zika virus. “Aedes aegypti is one of the most dangerous pests in the world”, said Rob Grenfell, CSIRO’s director of health and biosecurity, in a communication describing the experiment as “a victory”. The Zika virus is a very telling example of the kinds of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The 2015 epidemic could have infected millions of people worldwide, leading to the birth of babies with neurological difficulties.

The mosquito breeding technique developed by Verily, an independent subsidiary of the company Alphabet (which is owned by Google), is due to be exported around the world. In two areas of Fresno County in California, almost 20 million male mosquitoes have already been released. Initial results suggest a 68% reduction in bites from female mosquitoes, in comparison with other areas.

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