Explained: What Is Wolbachia Method And How It Can Curb The Spread Of Dengue Fever

A continuous surge in the cases of dengue disease is a worldwide concern. The World Health Organisation estimates 39 crore dengue virus infections per year.

The report of the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), a central nodal agency for the prevention and control of six vector-borne diseases, shows that India registered over 1.5 lakh cases in 2019.

File

Having a huge impact on the global population, there is no specific medicine to treat dengue. However, a study done in Indonesia shows positive results to defeat the disease.

What is dengue disease?

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is a tropical and sub-tropical (climate) disease caused by the dengue virus (Genus Flavivirus) and prime vectors transmitting the disease are Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus.

The mosquito is also responsible for transmitting chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika infection. There is four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes that cause dengue (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). Simply put, serotypes means separate groups within a species of microorganisms having a similar characteristic.

How Dengue is Impacting World?

BCCL

Dengue not only causes severe illness but is a leading reason of death in Asian and Latin American countries primarily. According to WHO, every year an estimated 100-400 million infections occur globally and over 80% are mild and asymptomatic. The data shows that almost half of the world's population is now at risk.

A study reveals that dengue estimates that 3.9 billion people are at risk of dengue infection. Despite a risk of infection existing in 129 countries, 70% of the actual burden is in Asia.

A disease which only prevalent in 9 countries as severe epidemics before 1970 is now spread in more than 100 countries including Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific.

Dengue In India?

BCCL/Representational image

India is severely affected by dengue and every year it causes illness and deaths as well. India does not have a safe and effective vaccine against dengue.

The Union Health Ministry said in a Rajya Sabha reply that India reported 1,64,103 dengue cases in 2021 and the Case Fatality Rate (deaths per 100 cases) has been sustained at less than 1 per cent since 2008.

According to a report published in Business Insider, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) may soon come up with a vaccine for dengue and has invited companies to develop the first vaccine for dengue in the country.

The first vaccine for dengue was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration in 2019 called CYD-TDV or Dengvaxia.

What is the Wolbachia Method?

In the Wolbachia method, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are introduced with the bacterium in the lab and then researchers release them into the wild. Now, the Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes breed with their wild counterparts which result in a growing percentage of the bacterium in those mosquitoes. This is known as the Population Replacement Strategy.

File Photo

The name of the bacterium is the Wolbachia pipientis which naturally occurs in 60% of insect species but not in carriers of the disease Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

However, researchers are yet to understand why Wolbachia bacterium interferes with the transmission of dengue.

Furthermore, researchers said that the method does not suppress mosquito populations or involve genetic modification, and is safe for humans, animals and the environment.

How Wolbachia Method Can Curb Dengue?

The scientists from the World Mosquito Program (WMP) of Monash University in Australia and Universitas Gadjah Mada carried out a trial in Indonesia for over two years. The trial covered a population of over 312,000.

File Photo

Scientists claimed that a naturally-occurring bacterium in infecting mosquitoes can help curb the spread of dengue by 77%. The claim was based on a randomised trial in Indonesia. The researchers suggest it could help cut dengue incidence.

Highlighting the benefits of the outcome, the research team said ¡°this exciting result of the trial is a great success for the people of Yogyakarta. Indonesia has 7 million dengue cases every year. This trial result shows the significant impact the Wolbachia method can have in reducing dengue in urban populations.¡±

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.