Mosquitoes Used as 'Weapon' to Combat Dengue in Belem, Brazil
Summary
Belém, Brazil has cut dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases by up to 70% using mosquito-based control methods, including larvicide buckets and Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The city’s approach has also reduced chemical spraying and helped some butterfly species return.
Key Points
- Belém used special larvicide buckets that turn female mosquitoes into carriers of the chemical, reducing breeding sites and cutting mosquito numbers.
- Brazil is also releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes from the world’s largest mosquito production center in Curitiba to curb dengue transmission.
- Mayor Igor Normand said the results came from a combined effort that included home inspections, public awareness drives, and limited insecticide use.
- Reduced spraying of toxic chemicals has had a positive environmental impact, including the reappearance of rare butterfly species.
