LAOS Mosquitoes infected with a bacterium to defeat dengue

The project will go live in April, but previous experiments in other parts of the world have yielded excellent results. Wolbachia, harmless to humans, reduces the transmissibility of various viruses.

Vientiane () – Between April and September, the Lao government will release mosquitoes carrying the wolbachia bacteria in two districts of the capital to prevent the spread of the virus that causes dengue fever and other diseases. The project manager, Phoutmany Thammavong, broke the news yesterday, explaining that the bacterium reduces the transmissibility of several viruses, including those that cause malaria, Zika and yellow fever. If a person is bitten by a mosquito carrying a virus, the presence of wolbachia will reduce the chances of contagion.

The initial plan calls for the release of wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in 32 villages in Saysettha and Chanthabouly districts (with higher numbers of mosquitoes compared to other areas) for 20 weeks, during which some experts will monitor the progress of the project. According to government estimates, around 86,000 people could avoid getting dengue.

Citizens have been invited to continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites, but to avoid destroying the containers from which the wolbachia-infected mosquitoes will emerge, so that they can reproduce with normal mosquitoes and spread the bacteria, which is harmless to people and food. animals. However, Phoutmany Thammavong specified, the different types of mosquitoes cannot be distinguished with the naked eye.

Wolbachia affects the vectors of the virus and has already demonstrated its effectiveness in eradicating dengue in Australia and some areas of Brazil. A 2021 experiment in Yogyakarta, Indonesia reduced dengue virus transmission by 77%.