Establishment of wMel Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and reduction of local dengue transmission in Cairns and surrounding locations in northern Queensland, Australia
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Background: The w Mel strain of Wolbachia has been successfully introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and subsequently shown in laboratory studies to reduce transmission of a range of viruses including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Mayaro viruses that cause human disease. Here we report the entomological and epidemiological outcomes of staged deployment of Wolbachia across nearly all significant dengue transmission risk areas in Australia. Methods: The w Mel strain of Wolbachia was backcrossed into the local Aedes aegypti genotype (Cairns and Townsville backgrounds) and mosquitoes were released in the field by staff or via community assisted methods. Mosquito monitoring was undertaken and mosquitoes were screened for the presence of Wolbachia . Dengue case notifications were used to track dengue incidence in each location before and after releases. Results: Empirical analyses of the Wolbachia mosquito releases, including data on the density, frequency and duration of Wolbachia mosquito releases, indicate that Wolbachia can be readily established in local mosquito populations, using a variety of deployment options and over short release durations (mean release period 11 weeks, range 2-22 weeks). Importantly, Wolbachia frequencies have remained stable in mosquito populations since releases for up to 8 years. Analysis of dengue case notifications data demonstrates near-elimination of local dengue transmission for the past five years in locations where Wolbachia has been established. The regression model estimate of Wolbachia intervention effect from interrupted time series analyses of case notifications data prior to and after releases, indicated a 96% reduction in dengue incidence in Wolbachia treated populations (95% confidence interval: 84 – 99%). Conclusion: Deployment of the w Mel strain of Wolbachia into local Ae. aegypti populations across the Australian regional cities of Cairns and most smaller regional communities with a past history of dengue has resulted in the reduction of local dengue transmission across all deployment areas.
Source: Gates Open Research
Authors: Peter A. Ryan, Andrew P. Turley, Geoff Wilson, Tim P. Hurst, Kate Retzki, Jack Brown-Kenyon, Lauren Hodgson, Nichola Kenny, Helen Cook, Brian L. Montgomery, Christopher J. Paton, Scott A. Ritchie, Ary A. Hoffmann, Nicholas P. Jewell, Stephanie K. Tanamas, Katherine L. Anders, Cameron P. Simmons, Scott L. O’Neill
Institutions: Monash University, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Queensland Health, James Cook University, The University of Melbourne, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of California, Berkeley, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,150
Awards: G1228708519, Modernizing mosquito control, Optimisation of Wolbachia based control strategies to reduce dengue incidence and disease, Wolbachia for biocontrol of emergent arboviruses, Monash University - to contribute a sustainable and cost-effective new tool for preventing transmission of dengue virus, which is estimated to threaten the health of a..., Enhancing disease vector biosecurity through high density molecular markers, Development of Wolbachia as an effective and sustainable approach to reduce dengue transmission., G848329853
OpenAlex ID: W4245976088