The World Mosquito Program is a not-for-profit initiative that’s protecting communities around the world from mosquito-borne diseases. Pioneered by Australian researchers at Monash University, we use safe and natural bacteria called Wolbachia to reduce the number of people contracting mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Thanks to a tiny bacterium called Wolbachia, together we can do incredible things. Using our groundbreaking research, we’ve created a way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
By breeding mosquitoes that carry safe and natural Wolbachia bacteria, we can effectively prevent diseases from spreading in whole cities and even regions. Our evidence shows that in areas where Wolbachia is self-sustaining at a high level, there have been no dengue outbreaks.
Wolbachia introduced intomosquito egg
Release Wolbachia-carryingmosquitoes
Wolbachia naturally spreads
We’re collaborating with communities around the world to reduce the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
The World Mosquito Program partners closely with community groups and local health officials in the areas where we work. We collaborate with communities and ensure they are comfortable with our approach before releasing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes.
Within just a few minutes, my arm swelled up with dozens of bites. It was a small price to pay for an amazing project that has the potential to turn the tide against a terrible disease.
Bill Gates
Our story began with a tiny bacterium called Wolbachia. Using Wolbachia, we have pioneered a way to provide mosquito-borne disease protection. In fewer than ten years, we have expanded from our pilot site in Australia to work in 12 countries around the world.
We discover Wolbachia prevents dengue transmission when carried by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
We start releasing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes in Cairns, Northern Australia
Wolbachia is successfully established and self-sustaining, with no local dengue transmissions
Our work
around the world
We’re working with communities in 12 countries across Asia, the Americas and Oceania to provide mosquito-borne disease protection.
When we release Wolbachia mosquitoes into a community, it’s crucial we have the support of the people who live there. So when a community leader in Narewa Village, Fiji, told us he felt like we were ‘releasing hope’ we could not have been happier. This is our ultimate goal. To free people from the fear and suffering caused by mosquito-borne disease.
Sustainable projects
The World Mosquito Program's method of reducing mosquito-borne diseases is natural and self-sustaining.
It’s unique because it usually only needs to be applied once to be effective. This makes it a sustainable, affordable and long-term solution to mosquito-borne diseases.
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Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative Media Release June 2005
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The use of transcriptional profiles to predict adult mosquito age under field conditions
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Modifying Insect Population Age Structure to Control Vector-Borne Disease. In: Aksoy S‚ ed.
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Predicting the age of mosquitoes using transcriptional profiles.
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