Brazil is experiencing a severe dengue outbreak intensified by climate change and heavy rains. Scientists are releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes as part of innovative strategies to curb the spread of the disease.

Brasília

Brazil is experiencing a significant dengue crisis, with over 6 million cases and more than 6,000 deaths reported in the previous year. The situation has been aggravated by heavy rainfall, which creates breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and by climate change, which is extending the dengue season and enabling mosquitoes to adapt to insecticides.

In response, scientists have introduced mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which prevents them from transmitting dengue and passes this trait to their offspring. Two new biofactories have been established to breed these mosquitoes, including a major facility in Campinas capable of producing 190 million mosquitoes weekly. A portable mini-biofactory in a cardboard box has also been developed to deliver mosquito eggs to remote areas, offering a novel approach to disease control.

Brazil’s dengue crisis worsens, new mosquito tactics deployed

It's the start of dengue season in Brazil when heavy rains form puddles, creating perfect nurseries for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These deadly insects spread dengue, zika and chikungunya. In 2024, Brazil faced a record dengue epidemic. The mosquitoes have adapted to insecticides and climate change is extending the season. We must act before the eggs hatch. Brazil had more than 6 million dengue cases last year and over 6,000 deaths. Now scientists are deploying an army of unlikely heroes. Mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria. These mosquitoes can't spread dengue and they pass that trait to their offspring. It's mosquito versus mosquito in a biological battle. And the clock is ticking. This year, 1.5 million Brazilians have already been infected with dengue and more than a thousand have died, even before the rainy season began. To fight back, Brazil has launched two biofactories to breed Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The largest, just opened in Campinas by Oxitec, can produce 190 million mosquitoes a week, enough to protect 100 million people per year. The big innovation, a new way to deliver the mosquitoes. This cardboard box may look simple, but it's actually a portable mini-biofactory. Inside are 200 Wolbachia mosquito eggs, ready to hatch once they reach remote areas. We also have a source of food for the larvae to feed and then develop into adult mosquitoes. So what we do is that this box was designed to easily be activated. The eggs hatch when tap water is added. Once grown, the mosquitoes fly out through a small hole and mingle with the local population. Their offspring may bite, but they won't transmit dengue. As climate change fuels longer, deadlier outbreaks, Brazil is turning not to pesticides, but to nature's own defense. Monica Yanakev, Aljazeera, Campinas, Brazil.

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Breakdown