Mosquitoes Used as 'Weapon' to Combat Dengue in Belem, Brazil

Belem. Two years ago, the city of Belem in Brazil was affected by a severe dengue outbreak. Hospitals were full of patients, and the excessive spraying of insecticides to control mosquitoes also had a negative impact on the environment. But now, this city has presented a new example by using mosquitoes themselves as a 'weapon' to control dengue. This method has reportedly reduced dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases by up to 70 percent.

Belem has adopted a very simple yet effective method at the local level. This includes the use of special buckets containing 'larvicide'. These buckets, which look like small garbage bins, provide a dark and humid environment that attracts female mosquitoes. Inside the bucket, a special larvicide-impregnated mesh strip is placed.