1. Introduction of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying wAlbB Wolbachia sharply decreases dengue incidence in disease hotspots
- Author
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Ary A. Hoffmann, Nazni Wasi Ahmad, Wan Ming Keong, Cheong Yoon Ling, Noor Afizah Ahmad, Nick Golding, Nicholas Tierney, Jenarun Jelip, Perada Wilson Putit, Norhayati Mokhtar, Sukhvinder Singh Sandhu, Lau Sai Ming, Khadijah Khairuddin, Kamilan Denim, Norazman Mohd Rosli, Hanipah Shahar, Topek Omar, Muhammad Kamarul Ridhuan Ghazali, Nur Zatil Aqmar Mohd Zabari, Mohd Arif Abdul Karim, Mohamad Irwan Saidin, Muhammad Nizam Mohd Nasir, Tahir Aris, and Steven P. Sinkins
- Subjects
Health sciences ,Biological sciences ,Entomology ,Microbiology ,Science - Abstract
Summary: Partial replacement of resident Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with introduced mosquitoes carrying certain strains of inherited Wolbachia symbionts can result in transmission blocking of dengue and other viruses of public health importance. Wolbachia strain wAlbB is an effective transmission blocker and stable at high temperatures, making it particularly suitable for hot tropical climates. Following trial field releases in Malaysia, releases using wAlbB Ae. aegypti have become operationalized by the Malaysian health authorities. We report here on an average reduction in dengue fever of 62.4% (confidence intervals 50–71%) in 20 releases sites when compared to 76 control sites in high-rise residential areas. Importantly the level of dengue reduction increased with Wolbachia frequency, with 75.8% reduction (61–87%) estimated at 100% Wolbachia frequency. These findings indicate large impacts of wAlbB Wolbachia invasions on dengue fever incidence in an operational setting, with incidence expected to further decrease as wider areas are invaded.
- Published
- 2024
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