Djibouti is a small country located on the northeast coast of Africa. An invasive species of mosquito causing malaria seems to be the problem. Their government aims to drop down the population of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
The US company Oxitec comes to rescue. With the help of genetic technology, employs male mosquitoes that are genetically modified to mate with the unaware female mosquitoes. This altered gene prevents female mosquitoes from maturing completely till adulthood thereby reducing the malaria transmission rates. Anopheles stephensi thrives in urban areas making it an unavoidable pest. According to the vector control research alliance, Target Malaria, the male mosquitoes are genetically modified to be sterile, so that they can mate but cannot produce offspring.
These species are resistant to insecticides, are daytime biters, and thrive in urban settings.
Nivea Vaz
Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara
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