[Watch] Mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria could prevent spread of Zika virus
The scientists from Australia's Monash University are planning to deploy millions of mosquitoes infected with bacteria called Wolbachia. These infected mosquitoes could lessen their capability to spread viruses including the Zika virus throughout Brazil and Colombia.
This aims to fight the spread of Zika virus. The plan will be funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with the U.S., UK and the Brazilian governments. It is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The plan will cost around $18 million, according to the Guardian.
This plan has been tried in Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam and Latin America that led to a successful outcome and the transmission of the viruses has halted. They would like to try it in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and in Antioquia in Colombia next year.
Dr. Trevor Mundel, the president of the global health division of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation explained that Wolbachia could be a revolutionary form of protection against mosquito-borne disease. He further said that it is affordable, sustainable and seem to give protection against Zika, dengue and a host of other viruses. He added that they are eager to study its impact and how it can help countries.
Wolbachia is bacteria that infects arthropod species including some nematodes. It is considered the world's most common parasitic microbes and the most common reproductive parasite in the biosphere. It is discovered that some host species cannot survive or reproduce without Wolbachia infection.
The researchers are eyeing this genus Wolbachia because of its potential use as the biocontrol agent. It also has universal distribution and evolutionary interactions. The Wolbachia is also associated with viral resistance in mosquito species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans.
Experts have great hopes that Wolbachia bacteria could be the answer to stopping the Zika and dengue epidemics.