Brazil to release millions of anti-dengue mosquitoes as death toll from outbreak mounts

Mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria that inhibit spread of disease to be introduced in six cities after successful pilot schemeA dengue-fighting strategy that involves releasing bacteria-infected mosquitoes will be rolled out to six Brazilian cities in the coming months as the country battles a severe outbreak of dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by theAedes aegyptimosquito.Factors such as hotter and wetter weather caused by the climate crisis and the circulation of previously absent subtypes of the virus are fuelling an explosion of dengue in Brazil, which has recorded1.6m probable cases since January – the same number reported for all of last year – and 491 deaths, with a further 889 deaths under investigation, as of 14 March.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Global health Global development Insects Animals Environment Wildlife World news Society Infectious diseases Dengue fever Brazil Medical research Source Type: news