While the pandemic has taken up most of our time, we really need to pay some attention to other global health problems as well. Mosquito-borne diseases are as urgent as ever.From the website of the World Mosquito Program:
The World Mosquito Program uses safe and natural bacteria called Wolbachia to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne viral diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Since releasing the first Wolbachia mosquitoes in 2011, evidence from international pilot studies shows that we can use Wolbachia more broadly to decrease the risk of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmitting viruses. Multiple trials in various locations demonstrate that our method is a safe and effective way to help prevent the spread of diseases across entire cities and regions.
We continue to rapidly expand our operations by building partnerships with local governments and communities around the world who are embracing our Wolbachia method.
The World Mosquito Program currently has two regional hubs – our Asia hub in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and our Oceania hub, based at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. We are in the process of establishing our third Americas hub in Panama. These hubs support projects in their respective regions and contribute to core global operations.
We have projects operating in 12 countries and our Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes have reached 5 million people as at December 2019.
In areas where Wolbachia is self-sustaining at a high level, monitoring shows that virus transmission is greatly reduced. Our measured impact is consistent with local elimination of disease. We are committed to improving health conditions and strengthening the capacity of local communities around the world to help reduce the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
Through collaboration and innovation, we can make a difference to millions of lives.
The Program has asked me to get the word out about a Twitter event on October 12 at which Professor Scott O'Neill, director of the Program, will answer questions. I'm happy to oblige. You can post your questions ahead of time at #Releasing Hope.
