The first batch of Wolbachia carrying mosquitoes were released today.
Minister for Health, Rosy Akbar officiated at the ceremony in Tamavua Village.
Akbar says that through this unique method it is anticipated that over time, it will greatly relieve the Dengue burden as well as Chikungunya and Zika in our country.
She says that World Mosquito Program’s international projects have shown that Wolbachia is self-sustaining at high levels for up to seven years after its release.
Akbar says that in these projects, there have been no evidence of local dengue transmission either.
She says that everyone must still take precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes and get rid of mosquito breeding places.
The Wolbachia bacteria was introduced into the primary species of mosquitoes that spread these viruses in Fiji.
Wolbachia is safe for humans, animals and the environment.
According to the World Mosquito Program, two independent risk assessments have been conducted, both of which gave an overall risk rating of the lowest possible for the release of mosquitoes with Wolbachia.
