I Visited a Mosquito Factory

Summary

In this video, Shane Campbell-Staton explores the innovative work being done in Colombia to combat mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever. The World Mosquito Program uses Wolbachia, a bacterium that prevents mosquitoes from transmitting viruses. Through mass releases of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, the program has significantly reduced disease transmission. Despite some concerns about potential unintended effects, local communities have largely embraced the program, seeing a drastic reduction in dengue cases. The video highlights both the success of this biocontrol method and the ethical questions it raises.

Takeaways

• 😀 The World Mosquito Program is producing and releasing millions of mosquitoes to combat mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
• 😀 Over 17,000 tubes and 4.5 million mosquitoes are sent out weekly from the biofactory in Colombia.
• 😀 Dengue, a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, has over 10 million cases annually in the Americas and is becoming more prevalent due to climate change.
• 😀 The mosquitoes involved in the program are infected with Wolbachia, a bacterium that blocks the transmission of viruses like dengue.
• 😀 Wolbachia is naturally found in over 50% of insect species, but Aedes aegypti mosquitoes don’t carry it in nature, making it an innovative solution.
• 😀 Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes prevent the transmission of dengue by inhibiting the virus in the mosquito, despite being bitten by infected humans.
• 😀 The program works by releasing infected mosquitoes into the wild, causing a chain reaction where more mosquitoes carry the bacterium with each generation.
• 😀 After feeding on blood from local blood banks, female mosquitoes lay eggs, which are sent worldwide to other countries for mass production.
• 😀 In areas where Wolbachia mosquitoes have been released, communities have seen significant reductions in dengue cases, with a 77% reduction in Indonesia.
• 😀 While successful, there are concerns from experts about unintended consequences, as Wolbachia’s impact on different pathogens can vary and is not fully understood.
• 😀 Jason Rasgon, a researcher, warns that while the public engagement aspect of the program is strong, there are risks when altering the environment and mosquito populations in unpredictable ways.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the mosquito breeding program in Colombia?

The main purpose is to breed and release mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to prevent the transmission of diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, which are carried by mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti.

How many mosquitoes are being produced each week for the project in Colombia?

Around 17,000 tubes containing 4.5 million mosquitoes are produced each week for the project.

What is the role of Nelson Grisales in the mosquito breeding project?

Nelson Grisales is a medical entomologist who focuses on preventing mosquito-borne diseases. He works with the World Mosquito Program to combat the spread of diseases like dengue by using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes.

What is the significance of the Wolbachia bacteria in mosquitoes?

Wolbachia bacteria, when introduced into mosquitoes, prevent them from transmitting diseases like dengue. The bacteria disrupt the mosquito's ability to pass on viruses to humans, effectively reducing disease transmission.

How do Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes reproduce?

Infected female mosquitoes pass the Wolbachia bacteria to their offspring through their eggs, regardless of whether the male mosquito is infected. Uninfected female mosquitoes that mate with infected males do not produce any offspring, leading to a higher proportion of infected mosquitoes over generations.

What method is used to feed the female mosquitoes in the project?

The female mosquitoes are fed with blood donated by local blood banks to ensure they have enough energy to lay eggs and continue the cycle of reproduction in the lab.

What challenges did the World Mosquito Program face in gaining community support?

Convincing local communities to release more mosquitoes was initially challenging because people traditionally see mosquitoes as harmful. The program overcame this by educating the communities about how the project works and the long-term benefits, resulting in no resistance from the neighborhoods.

How successful has the World Mosquito Program been in reducing dengue cases?

The program has been very successful. In Colombian cities where Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were released, there have been significantly fewer lab-confirmed dengue cases. A randomized study in Indonesia showed a 77% reduction in dengue infections.

What concerns do some experts have regarding the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes?

Some experts, like Jason Rasgon, are concerned that Wolbachia’s effects may vary depending on the mosquito species, the strain of bacteria, and environmental factors. There’s also concern about the unknown mechanisms by which Wolbachia blocks pathogens, which could lead to unintended consequences.

How does the concept of biological control relate to the mosquito project?

Biological control refers to using one species to control another, as seen with the introduction of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to combat disease. The approach is similar to past biocontrol attempts, like introducing cane toads to control pests, though with the potential for both success and unforeseen consequences.