A groundbreaking discovery by a team of Chinese scientists has shed light on a potential solution to combat mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika. Led by Cheng Gong, the researchers have identified a gut bacteria in mosquitoes that could prevent these insects from being infected by harmful viruses, ultimately disrupting the transmission of these pathogens to humans.
The findings, published in the esteemed journal Science, suggest a natural approach to reducing the spread of mosquito-borne viruses and addressing the global health threats posed by outbreaks.
The team, comprising scientists from Beijing, Shenzhen, Kunming, and Shiyan in China, along with experts from Connecticut in the United States, proposed the introduction of this bacterium into mosquito populations in dengue-endemic regions as a potential strategy to curb virus transmission.
Dengue and Zika viruses, known for their severe impact on human health, are transmitted through mosquito bites. The study, conducted from 2020 onwards in southwestern China, involved introducing the identified bacterium into water containing mosquito eggs. The results of the research indicate the promising potential of a nature-based approach to combat mosquito-borne diseases caused by flaviviruses.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue infects millions of individuals annually, with a significant number of countries affected by the disease. The WHO has also highlighted concerns that climate change, characterized by rising temperatures, increased precipitation, and prolonged droughts, could exacerbate the spread of dengue infections worldwide.
In an effort to develop a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly method to control mosquito-borne diseases, Cheng Gong, a professor at Tsinghua University, spearheaded the research initiative. The team’s investigation in Yunnan province revealed variations in dengue prevalence across different areas with similar climatic conditions, prompting the scientists to delve deeper into the underlying factors contributing to this disparity.
The groundbreaking study offers hope for a biocontrol solution to combat dengue and Zika, emphasizing the significance of harnessing natural mechanisms to mitigate the impact of mosquito-borne diseases on global public health.
