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Brazil uses mutant mosquitoes to fight Zika
November 3, 2016, 12:21 pm

Zika infections in pregnant women have been linked to a condition known as microcephaly: infants born with undersize heads [Xinhua]

Zika infections in pregnant women have been linked to a condition known as microcephaly: infants born with undersize heads [Xinhua]


Scientists in Brazil will unleash millions of genetically modified mosquitoes that will target disease-carrying members of their kind in a bit to combat the Zika virus.

The mutant insects will mate with the females and spawn babies that are genetically predisposed to die faster than normal.

Oxitec, the British firm behind this experiment, said it is awaiting permission from health authorities in Brazil but that it expects to release the mosquitoes in 2017.

“What we do here is eliminate the mosquitoes that transmit the virus,” said Oxitec biologist Karla Tepedino.

“By eliminating the vector, we eliminate the disease.”

Scientists hope that they can eliminate insect-borne viruses such as Zika, Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever that have killed thousands over the past year.

The World Health Organization says that Zika has spread to almost 60 countries around the world. The number of infections in Vietnam, for example, have doubled in the past few days. There are fears that infections may be spreading in Southeast Asia on the scale of Latin America last year.

Health officials in Brazil, which is considered ground zero for Zika infections, say they expect the number of infections to dramatically increase next year as more precautions are introduced and there is more awareness to combat the mosquito.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies