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Figure 1. Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito. Picture taken by Muhammad Mahdi Karim from Wikipedia.
Dengue fever remains a persistent global health threat, especially in tropical regions like Latin America. Despite political instability and recent reduced federal funding for infectious disease research dengue virus continues to spread, with mosquito breeding and incidence rates showing no signs of decline.
Globally, dengue cases have surged 30-fold over the past 50 years, with an estimated 390 million infections annually. Nearly half the world’s population is now at risk. Severe dengue can lead to life-threatening complications such as respiratory distress, plasma leakage, hemorrhage, and organ failure.
As detailed in a medical news article published in the JAMA Network by Emily Harris, dengue cases numbers have dramatically increased in Latin America and the Caribbean. By January 2024, for example, there were over 13 million suspected cases and more than 8,000 deaths worldwide. This data highlights an urgent need for improved solutions to fight dengue infection.
Countries are actively exploring innovative solutions, and artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in disease control. From my previous blog posts on AI in healthcare and what Hispanics think of AI use in healthcare, I have long been interested in the intersection of technology and public health.
This blog is a part of a two-blog series exploring how researchers are now integrating AI with nature-based biological control methods for sustainable mosquito management in Latin America. Herein, I discuss the nature-based biological control methods developed to help eradicate dengue.
Nature’s Mosquito Fighters – Biological Control Methods for Dengue Prevention
Biological control is nature’s answer to mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. By studying natural ecosystems, scientists have developed eco-friendly methods to reduce mosquito populations and limit virus transmission. This is an inspiring example of transforming basic science into powerful, real-world solutions.
In Latin America and Southeast Asia, three main biological control strategies have gained traction:
1. Wolbachia Infections: Blocking the Virus from Within
Figure 2. Wolbachia bacteria proliferating inside an insect cell. Taken using an electron micrograph by Scott O’Neill ( PLoS Biol 2/3/2004: e76. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020076).
The World Mosquito Program is leading efforts to use Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacterium found in over 50% of insect species, which is safe for both humans and the environment. While Aedes aegypti mosquitoes don’t naturally carry Wolbachia, scientists have successfully introduced the bacteria into these mosquitoes.
Once infected, the mosquitoes become far less capable of transmitting viruses like dengue. Wolbachia blocks the virus from replicating inside the mosquito resulting in effectively breaking the transmission cycle.
In a study published in Current Biology, Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes reduced human dengue cases by 40%. However, challenges like temperature fluctuations can impact Wolbachia’s effectiveness.
2. Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: Engineering Population Control
Figure 3. Mosquito under a microscope. Source: Picryl.com
Genetic modification offers another promising solution. Instead of using a naturally occurring bacteria, these mosquitoes are genetically modified (GM) to disrupt reproduction. These modifications are regulated by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
A biotech company leading this strategy is Oxitec, which developed the OX513A mosquito, a male Aedes aegypti engineered to produce no viable offspring. This is part of their FriendlyTM Aedes program to help fight dengue and other diseases.
These mosquitoes carry a “kill switch” that activates when the insect isn’t exposed to the antibiotic tetracycline. This prevents population growth in the wild.
Field trials in Brazil showed up to 96% reduction in local mosquito populations. These GM mosquitoes are EPA-regulated and could significantly reduce dengue transmission with broader adoption.
Natural Predators: Ecosystem Allies in Mosquito Control
Figure 4. Examples of mosquito predators. Image created using ChatGPT.
Nature already provides built-in mosquito control. Predators attack mosquitoes at different life stages: Fish (like guppies) eat larvae, dragonflies prey on both larvae and adults, and birds and bats feed on adult mosquitoes. Some mosquito species even prey on others
These predators are essential to balanced ecosystems and offer a low-cost, sustainable option for integrated mosquito management.
An example of an efficient predator of mosquitoes in Latin America is the dragon fly, especially in its larval stage, known as the nymph. Many scientific studies have revealed that dragonflies and damselflies can be effective in mosquito control. Some studies have also released dragon fly larvae with community participation in Yangon, Myanmar.
The Big Picture
Mother Nature might just be our best ally in the war against dengue. Across Latin America and Southeast Asia, scientists are turning to biological control methods that harness natural forces to stop mosquitoes in their tracks.
First up: Wolbachia bacteria—tiny hitchhikers that, once introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, block the dengue virus from replicating. Next, genetically modified mosquitoes like Oxitec’s OX513A males come with a built-in “kill switch” that prevents their offspring from surviving, shrinking mosquito populations dramatically. And finally, nature’s own mosquito assassins—predators like guppies, dragonflies, and bats—play a vital role in keeping mosquito numbers down. These strategies are eco-friend and when paired with smart tech like AI, could be the key to sustainable dengue prevention worldwide.
These biological control strategies offer scalable ways to reduce dengue cases globally. When combined with modern tools like AI, these strategies bring us closer to sustainable mosquito control and disease eradication.
