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View the latest updates from the World Mosquito Program in South Tarawa and Betio.

After conducting laboratory studies to examine the impact of Wolbachia on dengue and chikungunya viruses in Kiribati, we engaged with the community to explain our Wolbachia method. In 2019 we gained community acceptance and we released Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes across South Tarawa and Betio. 

We are now rigorously evaluating both the levels of Wolbachia in the mosquito population and the impact of Wolbachia on the transmission of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

From mid-2020, 12 months after the completion of releases, we’ll be able to use disease surveillance data to assess the impact of our program on the health of the community.

field entomology in kiribati
Number of people reached
24,000
Total area covered
1.5 km²
WMP in Kiribati
 
Kiribati

Progress updates

We’ve been working with communities in Kiribati since 2017 to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Read our latest news.