Researchers in Rio de Janeiro belonging to the state Brazilian laboratory, Fiocruz, had released at least 10,000 mosquitoes that were infected with bacteria that blocks dengue fever.
They released the mosquitoes as part of a project identified as the Eliminate the dengue: Challenge Brazil. The Latin American nation has been witnessing a steep rise in the number of confirmed dengue cases during the past two to three years.
Brazilian health authorities said in the first seven weeks of 2013 over 200,000 people were infected with dengue fever in comparison to the 70,000 during the same period in 2014.
The researchers hope that the ‘good’ mosquitoes will soon breed, multiply and also become the majority population. In the process, they can minimise the incidence of dengue cases.
Researchers said the intercellular bacteria, identified as Wolbachia, which is being introduced, does not get transmitted to people.
Brazilian authorities further said that similar initiatives are being implemented in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia.
