Wolbachia mosquitoes to be released in Nausori

Wolbachia‑carrying mosquitoes will be released in parts of Nausori in April and May aimed at helping to protect communities  from mosquito‑borne diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika.

Drones will be used to release the Wolbachia‑carrying mosquitoes.

This follows the success of last year’s trial which saw the  release of Wolbachia‑carrying mosquitoes in parts of Nakasi. 

Wolbachia blocks the transmission of the dengue virus.

When male mosquitoes with Wolbachia mate with female wild mosquitoes without Wolbachia, those females will have eggs but they won’t hatch.

According to the World Mosquito Programme, when male mosquitoes with Wolbachia mate with females that are already carrying Wolbachia, the mating will be normal and all the offspring will have Wolbachia.

It also works the other way around when female mosquitoes with Wolbachia mate with males without Wolbachia, all her offspring will have Wolbachia.

Wolbachia are naturally occurring bacteria found in 60% of all insect species.

Wolbachia is safe for humans, animals and the environment.

According to the World Mosquito program, two independent risk assessments have been conducted, both of which gave an overall risk rating of the lowest possible for the release of mosquitoes with Wolbachia.