Natural and Sustainable: How the use of Wolbachia to Control the Population of Aedes aegypti is Depicted to the Population

• In Event: Communicating Science

Abstract

Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses, can be usually found in domestic and peri-domestic habitats in most tropical areas. For this reason, its control is a major priority for public health around the world and the Zika outbreak in Brazil (years 2015-2016) highlighted this challenge. Mechanical, biological and chemical technologies are used in the control of Aedes aegypti population. In order to face this challenge, emerging technologies have been developed, such as the introduction of intracellular bacteria – Wolbachia pipientis – into Aedes aegypti as a biological control agent to prevent virus transmission. The transmission of viruses is prevented by a reduced lifespan of female mosquitoes and an increased resistance against a wide range of viruses, such as dengue and Zika.
The objective of this work is to discuss this new technology of biological control of mosquitoes, from the point of view of environmental ethics. This works concentrate its efforts to analyze how the technology is depicted to Brazilian population, especially in the communities in which the contaminated mosquitoes are released. Characteristics associated with this technology – such as natural, sustainable and environmental friendly – will be revisited. The involvement of the communities affected by the mosquitoes' release in the decision-making process will also be analyzed.

Authors

• Claudia Santos Turco, HCTE-UFRJ / FIOCRUZ

• Eduardo Nazareth Paiva, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro