Fiotec Project Analysts gathered on April 11th with the World Mosquito Program (WMP) leader here in Brasil, Luciano Moreira, and his technical team. The meeting aimed to debate the dissemination of the program, which now covers five Brazilian cities.
During the meeting, the implementation and establishment of the technology in the municipality of Brumadinho (Minas Gerais) and its vicinities was discussed. That step entails the construction of a Biofactory, in partnership with the company Vale, to strengthen the research and production activities necessary to effectively fighting the arbovirus vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti.
According to Aparecida Ferreira, project manager, the moment was essential to align strategies on both sides: “furthermore, it strengthened our cooperation and reaffirmed our commitment to projects with significant impact on public health,” she says.
The need to extend the contract with the City Government of Belo Horizonte was also addressed, showing the continuous commitment to controlling arbovirus diseases in the region. In order for that to be possible, new national and international partnerships are necessary. They will be essential to ensure resources, expertise and the necessary support to implement and maintain the program’s operations in those places.
World Mosquito Program
Wolbachia is an intracellular microorganism common in 60% of the insects in nature, but it is not naturally present in the Aedes aegypti. When introduced into those mosquitoes, the bacteria hinder the development of the dengue, zika and chikungunya viruses inside the mosquito itself, thus helping to reduce the transmission of those diseases.
After the release of mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia in the environment, they mate with the local mosquitoes, creating a new generation of mosquitoes who also carry the bacteria. With time, the proportion of mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia progressively increases in the population, until it reaches a level high enough to maintain itself without the need to release more.
Want to learn more about the project?
Access the website wmpbrasil.org, follow the social media (@wmpbrasil) or contact through WhatsApp on (21) 99643-4805.
Those channels provide resources and support to those interested in better understanding and supporting this important public health initiative.
