ВойтиSterile mosquitoes are used against dengue in indigenous areas
“The strategy prevents mosquitoes from producing offspring when they mate with females, contributing to the gradual reduction of the vector population and virus transmission,” the statement reads.
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In addition to Cimbres, the technology will also be implemented in indigenous territories in the states of Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul.
The continuity and expansion of the initiatives will depend on the results achieved and the technical evaluation of the teams involved, the ministry said. The data will enable the analysis of the impact on the reduction of cases of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
Sterile insect technique
The sterile insect technique uses the species itself to reduce the population of Aedes aegypti. In the laboratory, male mosquitoes are sterilized by ionizing radiation, rendering them incapable of producing offspring, and are then released in large numbers in target areas.
When mating with females, the males do not produce offspring, leading to a progressive decrease in the population of arbovirus vectors.
“Because it does not use insecticides and poses no risk to health or the environment, the technique is recommended for indigenous territories located in conservation areas and forests, where the use of chemicals is restricted or prohibited,” the ministry stated.
