Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit dengue virus between people

Wolbachia mosquitoes are reared under laboratory conditions ready for release into field trial sites

Wolbachia is found in up to 70% of all insect species including the Cairns birdwing butterfly.

Over 2.5 billion people in 100 countries are at risk of dengue infection

Eliminate Dengue is funded by a range of supporters including the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health through the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The not-for-profit research collaboration brings together a range of skills and expertise

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The Eliminate Dengue research program is developing a natural approach to control the spread of dengue. We have shown that the presence of Wolbachia within the dengue carrying mosquito - Aedes aegypti – acts like a ‘vaccine’ for the mosquito and reduces its ability to pass the dengue virus to people.

Our challenge is to introduce Wolbachia into wild mosquito populations in dengue transmission areas. If we are successful we believe the Wolbachia method of control will make a significant contribution to reducing the risk of acquiring dengue for the estimated 2.5 billion people that currently live in these areas.

Read more about OUR RESEARCH