Mendoza Battles Dengue with Release of 100,000 Sterile Mosquitoes Weekly
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Argentina’s Mendoza province is taking a novel approach to combatting a surge in dengue fever: releasing 100,000 sterile male mosquitoes each week. This innovative strategy, utilizing the Sterile Insect Technique, aims to curb the population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito – the primary vector for dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever – without the use of traditional insecticides.
Dengue Fever: A Growing Threat
Dengue fever, caused by one of four serotypes of the virus, poses a significant public health concern. Symptoms range from mild, flu-like illness to severe hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, easily identifiable by white spots on its legs and body, thrives in urban environments, breeding in stagnant water around homes and towns. According to health officials, the mosquito transmits the virus by biting infected individuals and then spreading it to others; person-to-person transmission is not a factor.
Current Situation in Mendoza and Argentina
As of April 2024, Mendoza province has reported 34 cases of dengue, with 17 ruled out, one confirmed, three considered suspicious, and 13 remaining inconclusive. This comes as Argentina experiences its largest dengue outbreak in history, with 161 deaths and nearly 233,000 registered cases nationwide, according to the National Epidemiological Bulletin. A senior official emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention if experiencing fever, headache, retro-ocular pain, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting, or mucosal bleeding.
The Sterile Insect Technique: A Targeted Solution
The Mendoza Agricultural Health and Quality Institute (Iscamen) is at the forefront of this innovative approach. For the past five years, Iscamen has collaborated with the International Atomic Energy Agency and 19 other countries to refine the Sterile Insect Technique. This method involves sterilizing male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and releasing them into the environment to mate with wild females. The resulting eggs are non-viable, leading to a reduction in the mosquito population.
“Last year, the trials gave us a 90% validation, which was when we released 30,000 mosquitoes weekly. Now it is expanded to one hundred thousand,” explained José Orts, president of Iscamen, in a recent interview. He further clarified that the released mosquitoes are easily identifiable by their fluorescent red color and do not bite, feeding only on sugars. “The important thing is that when the neighbor finds a bag with mosquitoes reds in the garden, patio or sidewalk, do not kill them and do not be scared,” Orts urged.
Expanding the Program and Future Outlook
Following successful trials in urban areas of Guaymallén, San Martín, and Godoy Cruz – which saw a 90% reduction in the mosquito population – the program is being expanded. Beginning next week, between 80,000 and 100,000 sterile mosquitoes will be released weekly in Godoy Cruz and Guaymallén, with plans to extend the program to other departments experiencing outbreaks.
Vaccination Considerations
Despite the approval of the Takeda (TAK-003) Qdenga vaccine by Argentina’s National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (Anmat) in 2023, the Ministry of Health currently does not recommend its widespread use. According to Dr. Andrea Falaschi, director of epidemiology, “The incidence rates are very low, therefore, the vaccine it is not recommended. “We are not in an outbreak and vaccination is not indicated.” The vaccine currently costs around $134,000 per dose in Mendoza, with some social works covering a portion of the expense, and requires two doses administered three months apart.
The deployment of sterile mosquitoes represents a significant step in Mendoza’s fight against dengue, offering a targeted and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional pest control methods. As the province continues to monitor the situation and adapt its strategies, this innovative approach could prove crucial in protecting public health.
