2023-08-30 23:49:09
Dengue fever, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, is on the decline in New Caledonia. The territory has not experienced an epidemic for four years. A probable consequence of the Wolbachia program which is extended to Païta from November. Volunteers are wanted.
Angela Palmiéri and Gaël Detcheverry (edited by Noémie Dutertre) • Published on August 31, 2023 at 10:49 a.m., updated on August 31, 2023 at 11:01 a.m.
The first releases of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, carriers of the Wolbachia bacterium, were carried out in Nouméa in 2019. Then in Mont-Dore and Dumbéa in 2022. The result is relentless: four consecutive years without a dengue epidemic. And the number of infected people is now minimal: only two cases in 2022.
The professionals of the World mosquito program, at the origin of the releases, are now continuing the operation in Païta.” We are looking for volunteers, around a hundred in Païta, especially in the districts of Savannah and the Three Valleys“, comments Nadège Rossi, Wold Mosquito Program NC project manager.
The first releases of mosquitoes in Païta should begin in mid-November for a period of five months, pots will be placed every 50 meters in the vegetation present on the public highway. 10 to 15 days later the adult mosquitoes will escape from these pots to reproduce and transmit the Wolbachia bacteria to the next generation.
Since the start of the World mosquito program campaign, the results have remained very positive, as confirmed by Nadège Rossi: “In Nouméa, we are approaching 90% of mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacterium. So these mosquitoes are no longer capable of transmitting dengue fever, zika and chikungunya to us. Obviously, we are drastically reducing the risk of a dengue epidemic in Nouméa , and we have extended the program to Mont Dore and Dumbéa, where we are close to 70% in most areas. This is very encouraging and we hope to quickly reach 80% in these areas by the end of the next hot season.”
The percentage of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes. • ©World mosquito program
Here is the free green number to be a volunteer in Païta: 050 008
1693440380
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