In late May 2019, the Ministry of Health examined the Wolbachia-infected mosquito release in Vinh Luong Commune, Nha Trang City. The project has shown encouraging results in dengue transmission reduction in the locality...
In late May 2019, the Ministry of Health examined the Wolbachia-infected mosquito release in Vinh Luong Commune, Nha Trang City. The project has shown encouraging results in dengue transmission reduction in the locality.
Dengue cases down
From March 6 to June 23, 2018, Wolbachia carrying mosquitoes were weekly released in 8/10 villages, namely Luong Son 1, 2, 3, Van Dang 1, 2, 3 and Vo Tanh 1, 2 in Vinh Luong with 100 mosquitoes for each 50m x 50m (2,500m2) per week, reports PhD, Dr. Nguyen Binh Nguyen, a coordinator of the Eliminate Dengue Vietnam Project that works to protect the community from mosquito-borne diseases.
Results have shown encouraging results in reducing dengue transmission. After 1 year from the first release of Wolbachia carrying mosquitoes, dengue cases in the villages have significantly decreased compared with the average over the 5 recent years before the release of modified mosquitoes while the dengue cases reported in 26 remaining communes and wards not covered by the Wolbachia program in Nha Trang City are on an increase, especially in late 2018 and early 2019.
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There used to be 3-4 dengue cases on average every year. Since the mosquito release project, no dengue case has been reported. This is good news for the locals. Residents who used to show some doubts about the effectiveness of the Wolbachia initiative have changed their views, according to Phan Van Loi, Chief of Van Dang 2 Village. The mosquito release program seems to be successful with no dengue cases reported in our village so far in 2019, says Dang Thi Thuy Huong, Van Dang 3 Village.
According to Nha Trang City Preventive Health Care team, 47 cases of dengue were reported in Vinh Luong Commune in 2018. 32 cases reported in the first 7 months of 2019 include 20 in the 2 villages of Luong Hoa and Cat Loi, not yet covered by the Wolbachia-Infected Mosquito Release program; and the remaining 12 cases are in the 8 villages covered by the program.
Wolbachia-Infected Mosquito Release program expansion suggested
PhD. Nguyen Binh Nguyen says the Central Epidemic Hygiene Institute is discussing with localities on the suggestion on the Wolbachia-Infected Mosquito Release program expansion in Nha Trang City in the period 2019 - 2022. In addition, the World Mosquito program in cooperation with specialized agencies in Vietnam are preparing for next releases in some other provinces.
Professor, PhD. Nguyen Tran Hien, Vice-Director of the project says Wolbachia are natural bacteria present in up to 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes. However, Wolbachia is not usually found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary species responsible for transmitting human viruses such as Zika and dengue. Wolbachia works within a mosquito in the way to boost the natural immune system of the mosquito against the Zika and dengue infection. Mosquitoes with Wolbachia thus help reduce the transmission of these viruses to people, decreasing the risk of Zika and dengue. The Wolbachia method is considered as an affordable, self-sustaining and long-term solution in the fight against life-threatening mosquito-borne diseases.
Thao Ly
Translated by N.T
