Learn exactly how Wolbachia protects communities from mosquito-borne disease in this engaging new video.


Nguyen Thi Den knows the danger of dengue all too well. Now, Wolbachia has brought her and her community new hope for the future.


Protecting communities from disease
The World Mosquito Program (WMP) is a not-for-profit group of companies owned by Monash University that works to protect the global community from mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya.
Thanks to a tiny bacterium called Wolbachia, together we can do incredible things. Using our groundbreaking research, we’ve created a way to block the transmission of 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.

a mosquito egg

are released


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Global Progress
Sri Lanka
We’re working with local communities in Sri Lanka to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Vietnam
We’re working with local communities in Vietnam to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Indonesia
We’re working with local communities in Indonesia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Australia
We’re working with local communities in Australia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
New Caledonia
We’re working with local communities in New Caledonia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Vanuatu
We’re working with local communities in Vanuatu to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Fiji
We’re working with local communities in Fiji to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Kiribati
We’re working with local communities in Kiribati to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Mexico
We’re working with local communities in Mexico to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Colombia
We’re working with local communities in Colombia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Global Progress
Brazil
We’re working with local communities in Brazil to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Laos
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Global Progress
Sri Lanka
We’re working with local communities in Sri Lanka to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Vietnam
We’re working with local communities in Vietnam to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Indonesia
We’re working with local communities in Indonesia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Australia
We’re working with local communities in Australia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
New Caledonia
We’re working with local communities in New Caledonia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Vanuatu
We’re working with local communities in Vanuatu to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Fiji
We’re working with local communities in Fiji to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Kiribati
We’re working with local communities in Kiribati to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Mexico
We’re working with local communities in Mexico to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Colombia
We’re working with local communities in Colombia to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
-
Global Progress
Brazil
We’re working with local communities in Brazil to reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Laos
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People reached 230,551Project sites 1Established 2017
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People reached 16,784Project sites 2Established 2016
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People reached 1,149,035Project sites 1Established 2011
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People reached 328,334Release sites 7Established 2009
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People reached 116,288Project sites 1Established 2018
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People reached 76,858Project sites 1Established 2017
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Population reached 339,059Project sites 3Established 2017
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People reached 20,869Project sites 1Established 2017
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People reached 241,099Project sites 1Established 2017
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People reached 3,345,914Project sites 4Established 2016
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People reached 2,116,409Release sites 5Established 2012
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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 10 years, we have expanded from our pilot site in Australia to work in 11 countries around the world.
We discover that 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
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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