Brazil Launches Mosquito Super Factory to Fight Dengue, Protect 140 Million People

Photo: Reuters

Brazil has opened the world’s largest factory for breeding mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria, a step aimed at protecting millions of people from dengue fever. The new facility, called Wolbito do Brasil, is located in Curitiba and is backed by Brazil’s Ministry of Health. It is expected to help safeguard around 140 million people over the coming years.

The factory is a joint venture between the World Mosquito Program, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), and the Institute of Molecular Biology of Parana. It can produce 100 million mosquito eggs every week. These mosquitoes carry Wolbachia bacteria, which prevents them from spreading dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses to humans.

Luciano Moreira, the company’s chief executive, said, “Wolbito do Brasil will be able to protect around 7 million people in Brazil every six months.” He explained that the factory’s mosquitoes will be released in areas with the highest dengue cases, helping to reduce the number of infections.

Dengue, often called “break-bone fever” because of the severe pain it causes, affects millions of people worldwide each year. In Brazil, 6,297 people died from dengue last year, marking the country’s worst year on record. Traditional methods of mosquito control, like spraying insecticides, have had limited success in controlling outbreaks.

Wolbachia bacteria only live inside mosquito cells, so they are safe for humans. According to Antonio Brandao, the Wolbito production manager, “Wolbachia has been present in over 60% of insects in nature for centuries, and we have never had interactions with humans. It is a safe method.”

Since 2014, Wolbachia mosquitoes have already helped protect more than 5 million people across eight Brazilian cities. With the new factory in full operation, cars carrying the infected mosquitoes will travel through dengue hotspots and release them in a controlled way, targeting the neighborhoods with the highest number of dengue cases.

Tamila Kleine, the factory’s regional operations coordinator, said, “The areas chosen are based on dengue cases. Neighborhoods with the most people getting dengue are prioritized.”

Experts say that this method is a breakthrough in public health, combining biology and technology to fight mosquito-borne diseases effectively. The project demonstrates Brazil’s commitment to innovative solutions for one of its most serious health problems.

With Wolbito do Brasil, Brazil hopes to not only reduce the number of dengue infections but also set an example for other countries battling mosquito-borne illnesses. If successful, this approach could transform how public health authorities worldwide manage dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya outbreaks.