How we work with communities
The World Mosquito Program’s Wolbachia method is helping communities to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Using our cutting-edge technology, we are working with communities, local health authorities and non-government organisations to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases without risking human health or natural ecosystems.
We have received widespread support around the world and have collaborated with local community groups, governments and health agencies in 12 countries.
In particular, public health officials have praised our Wolbachia method for making northern Queensland in Australia essentially dengue free.
Stories from our communities
Before we release mosquitoes, we work with communities to explain our method and answer their questions.
We partner closely with community groups and local health officials in the communities where we work. We ensure that all questions are answered and the local community endorses our method before Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes are released in our project sites.
We encourage community members to become actively involved in our research by growing mosquitoes in their own backyards and by hosting bug traps. We only undertake release activities with community support, including by a Community Reference Group made up of local community leaders. Community engagement and education are key to our approach.
