Our evidence
We have growing evidence for the effectiveness and safety of our Wolbachia method and have set up projects in 11 countries.
We have released Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to reach more than 6.8 million people (as at March 2021). In areas where Wolbachia is self-sustaining at a high level, there has been a significant reduction in the number of dengue cases.
Results from our project sites show dengue incidence is significantly lower in Wolbachia-treated communities compared with untreated neighboring populations. Our most recent gold-standard trial in Yogyakarta showed a 77% reduction in dengue incidence and an 86% reduction in dengue hospitalisations in Wolbachia treated areas compared with untreated areas.
Safe and self-sustaining
Wolbachia is safe and its virus-blocking properties persist in mosquito populations many years after release.
Reduced disease burden
There have been large reductions in dengue incidence in communities where the World Mosquito Program's method has been applied.
Deployable at large scale
City-wide deployments are in progress in Medellín and Bello, Colombia and Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, Brazil.
Economic benefits forecast
The World Mosquito Program's method is predicted to be cost-saving in urban communities.
Clinical trials
Results from a randomised controlled trial in Yogyakarta, Indonesia have been significant. Ongoing city-wide trials in Colombia and Brazil hope to release results in the coming months.
Mathematical modelling
Independent experts predict that the World Mosquito Program's method will eliminate dengue transmissions for decades.
| Country & Sites | Implementation highlights | Area | People reached | Impact-to-date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VietnamNha Trang |
Releases: 2013-14, 2018 | 2.2 km² | 16,784 | Dengue incidence in Wolbachia release area ↓ 61% following Wolbachia deployments. |
IndonesiaYogyakarta |
Releases: 2015-17, 2020-21 | 35 km² | 433,882 | Cluster randomised trial showed a 77% reduction in dengue incidence and 86% reduction in dengue hospitalisations in Wolbachia-treated communities |
Australianorthern Queensland |
Releases: 2011-17, 2019 | 299 km² | 328,334 | Dengue incidence ↓ 98% in Cairns and 95% in Townsville. Effective elimination of dengue as a public health concern. |
ColombiaMedellin, Bello, Itaguia and Cali |
Releases: 2015-present | 138 km² | 3,345,914 | Dengue incidence ↓ 59% in Bello and 55% in Medellin. Case-control study ongoing throughout 2021. |
BrazilRio de Janeiro, Niteroi, Belo Horizonte and Campo Grande |
Releases: 2015 - present | 208 km² | 1,608,130 | Dengue incidence ↓ 36% in Rio de Janeiro and 70% in Niteroi. Chikungunya incidence ↓ 54% and Zika incidence by 36% in Niteroi. |
Western PacificSuva, Nadi, Lautoka Fiji; Port Vila, Vanuatu; South Tarawa, Kiribati |
Releases: 2018-19 | 157 km² | 436,786 | Monitoring of impact ongoing. |
How we evaluate
our impact
We evaluate the health impact of our work by:
- Analysing public health data. This data, which is collected by local government authorities, shows if there has been a reduction in mosquito-borne disease once Wolbachia is successfully established.
- Conducting scientific trials. These trials show whether the incidence of laboratory-confirmed mosquito-borne disease is lower in communities where the Wolbachia method has been implemented, compared to communities without Wolbachia. We are currently conducting trials in Indonesia and Colombia.
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, to create a better world by 2030.
Our work supports many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG #3: Good health and well-being, in particular Target 3.3: Fight communicable diseases. This target calls for the end to epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and to combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are classified as neglected tropical diseases.
Our work also supports
SDG #1: No poverty
Costly medical treatment for mosquito-borne diseases cause financial hardship for individuals and households, and time spent recuperating restricts their ability to earn a living or pursue education. Our work towards reducing these diseases will help to decrease poverty and increase economic prosperity.
SDG #11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The majority of our work is undertaken in high-density urban environments where Aedes aegypti thrive and where viruses can be easily transferred from one person to the next. Our approach is very cost effective and indeed is predicted to be cost-saving in most populous city locations where these diseases are currently entrenched and create sustained economic burden.
SDG #17: Partnerships for the Goals
The global effort to control and eliminate mosquito-borne diseases is one of the largest public health initiatives ever undertaken. Our work towards mobilising financial resources from partners and funders, and working in partnership with government, non-government organisations and local communities, is helping to reduce mosquito-borne diseases.
Supporting women
and girls
Women and girls are particularly affected by mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika.
Our research shows that girls with dengue are at higher risk of severe symptoms and death than boys.
Women who are infected by Zika virus during pregnancy can bear children with serious health conditions, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can cause life-long disability.
The World Mosquito Program’s innovative method to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is, therefore, supporting women and girls to live healthier lives and prevent the risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases.
Neglected tropical diseases
Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of communicable diseases that are common in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries. Every year, they affect more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars.
People living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors, domestic animals and livestock, are those worst affected. Neglected tropical diseases are called ‘neglected’ because they generally afflict the world's poor and historically have not received as much attention as other diseases.
The World Health Organization manages classification and public health information about these diseases, which include dengue and chikungunya.
The World Mosquito Program uses safe and natural bacteria called Wolbachia to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.