Mosquitoes with Bacteria on Vietnam’s Island Can Control Zika Spread: Scientists

A new breed of mosquitoes injected with bacteria in central Vietnam has been proven to be able to stop the spread of dengue fever and the Zika virus, Thanh Nien newspaper reported citing health officials as saying on March 7. In April 2013, scientists handed over a total of 8,000 mosquito larvae injected with Wolbachia bacteria to nearly 800 families to breed on the Tri Nguyen island. Scientists have officially confirmed the ability of these Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria to block the Zika virus and prevent it from being transmitted to humans, Le Tan Phung, deputy director of Khanh Hoa Health Department, told Thanh Nien newspaper. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the main vector of both dengue fever and the Zika virus, but they naturally do not carry Wolbachia bacteria. Tran Nhu Duong, deputy director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said that after three months, 70%-80% of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on the island carry the bacteria. Earlier, people on the island were suspicious about the project as they were afraid that the mosquitoes can bring Zika to their children. (Thanhnien.vn Mar 7)