Rear and release: a new paradigm for dengue control. Issue 4 (30th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ritchie, Scott
• Is Part Of: Austral entomology. Volume 53:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 367
• Publication Date: 2014-09-30
• Subjects: Entomology -- Southern Hemisphere -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1111/aen.12127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-174X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Dengue continues to be the largest cause of arboviral human disease. Australia is no exception, with annual outbreaks in north Queensland. Until recently, we were restricted to measures, such as pesticide sprays and container removal, that reduce populations of the mosquito vector <italic>A</italic><italic>edes aegypti</italic> (Linnaeus, 1762). However, the Eliminate Dengue research program, an international collaboration led by Professor Scott O'Neill of Monash University, uses the bacterium <italic>W</italic><italic>olbachia pipientis</italic> to block dengue virus replication in the mosquito and reduce dengue transmission. To date, releases of adult <italic>A</italic><italic>. aegypti</italic> infected with the <italic>w</italic>Mel strain of <italic>W</italic><italic>olbachia</italic> have been made at seven different locations near Cairns Queensland. <italic>W</italic><italic>olbachia</italic> has successfully established in each release area, with some populations having persisted for three consecutive years. Success using <italic>w</italic>Mel has come relatively easily, with fixation (>90% mosquitoes infected) obtained after 3 months of weekly releases of adult mosquitoes that required no concurrent vector control. We have not had success establishing <italic>w</italic>MelPop strain, due to the high fitness costs of this more virulent strain of <italic>W</italic><italic>olbachia</italic> to its mosquito host. New release strategies of <italic>w</italic>Mel that allow us to simply place egg papers in rearing buckets in the field are also showing promise. Going forward, we hope to scale up the program so that large urban areas can be treated with a minimal number of releases and labour. Finally, what evidence is there that <italic>W</italic><italic>olbachia</italic> actually prevents dengue in human populations? The definitive studies will be taking place in dengue endemic countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam where sufficient transmission allows for carefully controlled trials, although dengue incidence in <italic>W</italic><italic>olbachia</italic> treated areas of Queensland will be watched with interest.</p> </abstract>