US has released 20,000 male mosquitoes infected with the naturally occurring Wolbachia bacteria in an attempt to kill mosquitoes carrying viruses such as Zika. When the lab-bred mosquitoes, which were infected by Florida company MosquitoMate, mate with wild mosquitoes, their offspring do not survive. The trial, which will last approximately three months, carries no risks as Wolbachia does not harm humans and male mosquitoes do not bite. Officials in the US Keys are also considering a trial involving genetically modified mosquitoes produced by UK biotech firm Oxitec which has faced opposition from anti-GMO campaigners and residents.
Florida has released 20,000 male mosquitoes infected with the naturally occurring Wolbachia bacteria in an attempt to kill mosquitoes carrying viruses such as Zika. When the lab-bred mosquitoes, which were infected by US company MosquitoMate, mate with wild mosquitoes, their offspring do not survive. The trial, which will last approximately three months, carries no risks as Wolbachia does not harm humans and male mosquitoes do not bite. Officials in the Florida Keys are also considering a trial involving genetically modified mosquitoes produced by UK biotech firm Oxitec which has faced opposition from anti-GMO campaigners and residents.