As of today (6/22), the releases of Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia were resumed in three neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, after three months of suspension of this activity. The resumption will be gradual and begins in the neighborhoods of Ramos, Olaria, and Bonsucesso. Releases will be made for 16 weeks, always in the morning, using the same vehicle previously used, identified as SAÚDE FIOCRUZ [FIOCRUZ HEALTH].  There is no interaction between WMP Brasil / Fiocruz technicians and the population.

"During the period of suspension of field activities, our teams maintained the actions to maintain the colony of Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia, respecting the health and safety guidelines of the health authorities. In addition, we are working on innovations to ensure that the release of mosquitoes with Wolbachia, as well as their monitoring, can be carried out safely, in face of this pandemic scenario. We cannot forget that arboviruses continue to circulate, even during the pandemic, and that is why it is important to reactivate the release of Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia ", highlights Luciano Moreira, leader of the Wolbachia Method in Brazil and researcher at Fiocruz. 

The Wolbachia Method of WMP Brasil / Fiocruz is safe. The mosquitoes that carry the Wolbachia bacteria have not been genetically modified, do not transmit diseases and help fight dengue fever, zika and chikungunya. Remembering that the coronavirus is transmitted only through droplets of saliva and secretions of infected people. Aedes aegypti does not transmit this virus. 

The monitoring activities of Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia, through BG-type traps installed in residences and volunteer businesses, will still remain suspended, as they involve the interaction of WMP Brasil / Fiocruz technicians with the population. These actions will be resumed as soon as there is guidance from the health authorities.

Other monitoring actions, carried out in partnership with the municipality of Rio de Janeiro through the existing group of ovitramps (containers that collect mosquito eggs), have already been initiated at the end of May.

Wolbachia Method

The Wolbachia Method consists of releasing Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia to breed with local Aedes aegypti and establish a new population of these mosquitoes, all with Wolbachia.

Wolbachia is an intracellular microorganism present in 60% of nature’s insects, but it was not present in Aedes aegypti. When present in these mosquitoes, it prevents dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses from developing inside the mosquito, contributing to the reduction of these diseases.

Once mosquitoes with Wolbachia are released into the environment, they breed with field mosquitoes and help create a new generation of mosquitoes with Wolbachia.
Over time, the percentage of mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia increases, until it remains high without the need for further releases.

More information about the Wolbachia Method can be obtained at the website wmpbrasil.org, on social networks (@wmpbrasil) or via WhatsApp, at +55 (21) 99643-4805.