How Queenslanders fought the mozzie
Embargoed until:
Publicly released:
2019-06-26 09:01
From flyscreens, to fertility - they way we combat mosquitoes has changed over the last few decades and now two Australian dengue control scientists have charted these changes. In a perspective article on four eras of mosquito control in Queensland, they outline the latest weapon in the fight, modified mosquitoes that sterilise the wild mosquitoes they mate with, crashing the population. As new and re-emerging viruses such as Zika continue to plague the tropics, they ask will these new strategies finally spell the end for the mozzie?
Journal/conference: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Link to research (DOI): 10.1098/rspb.2019.0973
Organisation/s: James Cook University
Funder: S.R. has received research funding from Monash University as part of the Eliminate Dengue Wolbachia program and from Verily Life Sciences. K.S. has been funded by Verily Life Sciences. S.R. is employed by Monash University as part of the World Mosquito Program starting 1 May 2019.
Media Release
From: The Royal Society
Reflections from an old Queenslander: Can rear and release strategies be the next great era of vector control?
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
This perspective paper discusses the great eras of vector control, centering on Aedes aegypti the primary vector of dengue, Zika and several other viruses. Such eras include: environmental management, insecticides and, to a lesser extent, biological control. Recently, the rear and release technique has emerged as a significant new strategy to fight vector-borne diseases. From my vantage point as a dengue control manager and researcher involved in two Wolbachia programs I will discuss the hurdles that rear and release programs face to gain widespread acceptance and success and thereby become the next great era of vector control
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