WHO paves way for use of genetically modified mosquitoes to combat Zika

New and potentially controversial techniques including releasing genetically modified or irradiated mosquitoes could be deployed to combat the spread of the Zika virus, according to a statement yesterday from the World Health Organisation.

Zika is a disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease originated in Africa, but in the last decade has spread to French Polynesia in the Pacific, and to Brazil and Colombia. More than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic infections.

“Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO encourages affected countries and their partners to boost the use of both old and new approaches to mosquito control as the most immediate line of defence,” the WHO statement said , adding that more research was needed to evaluate the new techniques.

“For genetically modified mosquitoes, the WHO Advisory Group has recommended further field trials and risk assessment to evaluate the impact of this new tool on disease transmission,” the statement said, adding that trials in the Cayman Islands have shown significant reductions in the Aedes aegypti population.

The disease is relatively mild, but infection in pregnant women has been linked repeatedly with a condition in babies called microcephaly and an illness in adults called Guillain-Barré syndrome.

“If these presumed associations are confirmed, the human and social consequences for the over 30 countries with recently detected Zika outbreaks will be staggering,” the statement ­continued.