As the emerging Zika virus continues to rapidly spread in the Pacific , so do fears of the possible consequences , especially in light of strong connectedness between the grow epidemic and abrain disorder in newborns . There ’s no available handling or vaccine , and given the length of time it takes to get such interventions , it will be age before we see any on the market . But there could be a solution : genetically modified mosquitoes .
Zika virus is spread by the same mosquito as dengue and another disease phone Chikungunya , a species calledAedes aegypti . scientist in the U.K. have developed and are implementing an good path to stamp down their population , which involve genetical handling and hold in louse release program .
make by biotech firm Oxitec , the so - called “ friendlyAedes aegypti , ” orOX513A , contains a gene that make progeny to pop off before reaching reproductive age . So when males are turn into mosquito - riddled areas , they successfully vie with those in the wild for females , at long last top to a step-down in number , but not obliteration , without the need for pesticides .
“ When you take out this one mosquito – Aedes aegypti – you also take out all of the diseases it carry , ” Oxitec communications manager Chris Creese tell IFLScience . “ That ’s why this approach is so powerful . And it does not harm other specie . So it is a win - win . ”
Infographic manifest how Oxitec ’s mosquitoes are generated . Oxitec
“ It is important to call up that in 2014/15 CECAP / Eldorado had 133 case of dengue , the eminent relative incidence in the city of Piracicaba , ” Pedro Mello , Piracicaba ’s secretary of wellness , points out . “ In 2015/2016 , after the showtime of the FriendlyAedes aegyptiProject , we had only one case . ”
Piracicaba ’s computer program involved release that offered reportage for 5,000 people , and it ’s now been extended for another twelvemonth . In addition , a letter of intent to exposit reportage to up to 60,000 resident physician has also been signed , and architectural plan are being put in place to build a new mosquito manufactory that could at long last bump this number up to 300,000 .
“ The CECAP / Eldorado district had the high incidence of breakbone fever which is why it was the first target , ” said Creese . “ Now , follow a diminution in mosquitoes and dengue cases , the continuation and expansion is to stave in off dengue , as well as Chikungunya and now Zika computer virus to prevent an epidemic . ”
While theCDChas issued travel guidance to subdue Zika spread , and some country have even blend in so far as to recommendagainst cleaning lady becoming pregnantdue to an evident stiletto heel in associated giving birth defect , Creese emphasizes that these are not long - terminus solutions . Hopefully , we will continue to see positive effect from these modified mosquito programme , which will encourage other area to get on board and get down to sustainably tackle these insect - borne diseases .
