Zika Update: Brazil Testing Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to Stop Virus Spread

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Brazil is experimenting on genetically-modified mosquitoes that could be the solution to preventing the spread of Zika virus. A biotech firm is helping with the tests as announced in a press release Tuesday.

NBC News reported that British firm Oxitec already started with the tests of the genetically modified organisms (GMO) against the dengue virus. However, the company is expanding the scope of its work to also cover chikungunya virus (yellow fever) and Zika.

Latinos Health previously reported that the latter is currently spreading rapidly among pregnant women in Brazil, leading officials to issue a public warning.

Oxitec scientifically altered the mosquitoes to initiate two instances: the female mosquitoes would lay dud eggs or the offspring will not develop properly. The company did their tests in Piracicaba in Sao Paolo as early as April 2015 by releasing GMO sterile male mosquitoes.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus all come from the bites of the female species of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The male species do not bite nor transmit the disease.

The results of the initial tests revealed that the male mosquitoes effectively lowered the number of disease-transmitting larvae by 82 percent. Piracicaba's health department confirmed the results, The Guardian informed.

The local government said it will continue with the tests following its success. "We decided to extend the project for another year and also signed a record of intent to expand the project to the central area of Piracicaba," Mayor Gabriel Ferrato stated in the press release. On the other hand, Fox News reported that the biotech firm will build another facility in Piracicaba in its expansion.

Meanwhile, Phys.Org informed that the project's technical adviser, Joseph Conlon of the American Mosquito Control Association, called the experiment's results as "novel and potentially efficacious." He acknowledged that the system is not 100 percent effective knowing that the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are "notoriously difficult to control." However, the measure does work at reducing the population that transmits the disease with little harm to the environment.

There are no vaccines nor treatments for these mosquito-borne diseases. However, symptoms like fever and rashes can be managed if caught early on. The biggest concern with Zika infection is microcephaly, a congenital condition that leads to the development of smaller heads in infants.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued new guidelines on Jan. 19 in the United States, recommending pregnant women who travel to affected areas to consult doctors for tests and treatments to rule out harm against their unborn child.