New strategy to prevent dengue tool bacteria

A new experimental experiment with mosquitoes has been shown to reduce the incidence of dengue fever by 6 percent. Scientists have studied mosquitoes infected with a particular type of bacteria. It has been found that dengue infection from mosquitoes infected with such bacteria is reduced.

According to the BBC, scientists have found great benefits in this small-scale study. They hope that after more research, it will bring effective results in dengue prevention.

The study was conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The new method is expected to eradicate dengue virus infection. The World Mosquito Program says it could be an effective solution to preventing dengue infection worldwide. Very few people heard of dengue 50 years ago. But now, dengue has spread widely. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of the disease. The number of dengue cases in the country is constantly increasing. In 1980, dengue outbreaks were seen in only nine countries. And now, 400 million people are infected with dengue every year.

The enemy of the enemy when the friend

Experimental studies have used mosquitoes infected with the bacterium Albania. Researcher Katie Andrews called the bacteria a “miracle” bacterium. This bacterium called Olbacia does not harm mosquitoes. However, this bacterium neutralizes the part of the mosquito’s body through which the dengue virus enters.

These bacteria can make it difficult for the dengue virus to reproduce. For this reason, the level of infection from mosquitoes after a bite is reduced.

Research strategy

In that experimental study, 5 million mosquito eggs were infected with Wolbachia bacteria. Mosquito eggs are kept in buckets of water. Mosquito eggs are laid once every two weeks. It takes nine months for them to become infected with bacteria. Half of the mosquitoes were then released in 24 areas of Yogyakarta.

The results of the experimental study have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results are also promising. It has been seen that the rate of dengue infection has decreased by 6 percent. And 6 percent of patients didn’t need to go to the hospital. Katie Andrews told the BBC: “It’s fantastic. The results are better than we expected. ”

This strategy has been so successful that mosquitoes have been released throughout the city. Not only Yogyakarta but also the surrounding areas are exposed to mosquitoes infected with such bacteria. This measure has been taken to eradicate dengue infection from that area.

Thoughts on a large scale

Katie Andrews, director of verification of the effectiveness of the World Mosquito Program, said: The project could be practical, especially in cities where dengue could pose a significant health crisis.

Studies have shown that the bacterium Olbacia can spread from one mosquito egg to another. This technique is much more straightforward and more effective than other mosquito control methods such as insecticide or sterilization of male mosquitoes.

“We are pleased with the results of the experimental study,” said Euderia Amelia, head of disease prevention at Yogyakarta. We hope that this method will be implemented in all areas of Yogyakarta. The system will then be rolled out to other cities across the country.

This is a milestone in years of research on dengue-carrying mosquitoes, say people concerned. Disease modeling studies have also shown that the Olbacia bacteria can prevent dengue fever.

David Hummer, a Boston University lecturer, said the study was likely to be effective in diseases such as Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Like dengue, these diseases are spread by mosquito bites.