Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
As dengue cases continue to be a major public health challenge in many tropical and subtropical countries, scientists are turning to innovative methods to control the disease.
One strategy that has gained attention in recent years involves the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes into the environment.
The idea may sound unusual at first. After all, mosquitoes are known for spreading diseases, so why would scientists deliberately release more of them? This question has sparked curiosity as well as concern among communities where Wolbachia mosquito programmes are being introduced.
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Many people wonder whether these mosquitoes bite humans, whether they can cause infections, and whether releasing them could create new health risks. Social media have also contributed to confusion, with several myths circulating about what Wolbachia mosquitoes are and how they work.
The reality is far less alarming than many people assume. Wolbachia is not a new technology or a genetically modified organism. It is a naturally occurring bacterium that has existed in insects for millions of years. Researchers are using it as a tool to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to spread diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Understanding how Wolbachia works can help separate scientific facts from common misconceptions.
WHAT IS WOLBACHIA?
Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in approximately 60% of insect species worldwide. It lives inside the cells of many insects, including butterflies, moths, beetles and flies.
Interestingly, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary mosquito responsible for spreading dengue, does not naturally carry Wolbachia. Scientists therefore introduce the bacterium into these mosquitoes under controlled laboratory conditions.
Once infected with Wolbachia, the mosquitoes are released into the environment, where they breed with local mosquito populations and gradually spread the bacterium through future generations.
DO WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES BITE HUMANS?
Yes, Wolbachia mosquitoes can bite humans.
This is one of the most common misconceptions surrounding the programme. The mosquitoes released in Wolbachia projects are still mosquitoes, and female mosquitoes continue to bite because they need blood to produce eggs.
However, the important difference is that Wolbachia reduces the mosquito’s ability to carry and transmit viruses that cause diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika.
In simple terms, a bite from a Wolbachia-infected mosquito feels no different from a bite from a regular mosquito. The key distinction is that the mosquito is much less likely to pass on disease-causing viruses.
- MYTH: WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES CAN INFECT HUMANS
One of the biggest concerns is whether Wolbachia can spread from mosquitoes to people.
Scientific evidence shows that Wolbachia does not infect humans. The bacterium survives inside insect cells and is not known to cause disease in people.
Researchers have been studying Wolbachia for decades, and large-scale field programmes have been conducted in multiple countries without evidence of harm to human health.
- MYTH: WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED
Another common misunderstanding is that Wolbachia mosquitoes are genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
In reality, Wolbachia mosquitoes are not genetically engineered. Scientists simply introduce a naturally occurring bacterium into mosquitoes through laboratory breeding techniques.
The mosquito’s DNA is not altered during this process.
HOW DO WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES HELP FIGHT DENGUE?
When dengue viruses enter a mosquito carrying Wolbachia, the bacterium interferes with the virus’s ability to multiply inside the insect. As a result, the virus struggles to reach levels high enough to be transmitted to another person through a mosquito bite.
Over time, if enough mosquitoes in an area carry Wolbachia, the overall risk of dengue transmission can decline significantly. Several studies have reported reductions in dengue cases in areas where Wolbachia programmes have been implemented.
ARE MORE MOSQUITOES BEING ADDED TO THE ENVIRONMENT?
Some people worry that releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes could increase mosquito populations.
The releases are generally temporary and designed to replace existing mosquito populations rather than permanently increase their numbers. Once Wolbachia becomes established in the local mosquito population, large-scale releases are usually no longer necessary.
The goal is not to create more mosquitoes but to create a mosquito population that is less capable of spreading disease.
ARE WOLBACHIA MOSQUITOES SAFE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN?
Current research suggests that Wolbachia mosquitoes do not pose special risks to children, pregnant women or other vulnerable groups.
Since Wolbachia does not infect humans and is naturally found in many insects, public health authorities consider the approach safe when implemented under regulated programmes.
People may still experience normal mosquito bites, but the presence of Wolbachia does not make those bites more harmful.
WHY ARE PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS INTERESTED IN THIS STRATEGY?
Traditional mosquito control methods such as insecticides, fogging and eliminating breeding sites remain important. However, these methods often face challenges, including insecticide resistance and difficulties in reaching all mosquito breeding areas.
Wolbachia offers a complementary approach that works continuously within mosquito populations.
Instead of trying to kill every mosquito, the strategy aims to make mosquitoes less effective at transmitting disease.
This could help reduce outbreaks and lower the burden of mosquito-borne illnesses in communities where dengue remains a major concern.
Yes, Wolbachia mosquitoes can bite humans because they are still mosquitoes. However, the bacterium they carry does not infect people and is not known to cause human disease.
The purpose of releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes is not to increase mosquito numbers but to reduce the spread of dangerous viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. While questions and concerns are understandable, current scientific evidence suggests that Wolbachia is a promising public health tool that may help make mosquito bites less likely to result in serious illness.
As countries continue to search for effective ways to control dengue, Wolbachia mosquitoes are emerging as one of the most closely watched disease-prevention strategies in the world.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
