Google-owned Debug has proposed releasing 32 million Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes in California and Florida to suppress populations of Aedes aegypti, the invasive mosquito that spreads dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus
The released males don't bite humans and are designed to mate with wild females whose eggs then fail to hatch, preventing more than 100 offspring from being produced from a single mating
Public concern centers on the possibility of unintended environmental consequences, the difficulty of reversing large-scale biological releases and questions about the role of private corporations in ecosystem management
Researchers reviewing Wolbachia-based mosquito-control programs found that they can reduce disease transmission, but success depends heavily on local conditions and often requires ongoing releases, specialized infrastructure and long-term monitoring
Regardless of whether the proposal moves forward, you can reduce your exposure to mosquito-borne diseases by eliminating standing water around your home, using physical barriers such as screens and reducing mosquito breeding sites in your community
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