Successful introgression of wMel Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti populations in Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Cameron P Simmons, Wesley Donald, Lekon Tagavi, Len Tarivonda, Timothy Quai, Raynelyn Tavoa, Tebikau Noran, Erirau Manikaoti, Lavinia Kareaua, Tabomoa Tinte Abwai, Dip Chand, Vineshwaran Rama, Vimal Deo, Kharishma Karti Deo, Aminiasi Tavuii, Wame Valentine, Raviikash Prasad, Eremasi Seru, Leikitah Naituku, Anaseini Ratu, Mark Hesketh, Nichola Kenny, Sarah C Beebe, Anjali A Goundar, Andrew McCaw, Molly Buntine, Ben Green, Tibor Frossard, Jeremie R L Gilles, D Albert Joubert, Geoff Wilson, Le Quyen Duong, Jean B Bouvier, Darren Stanford, Carolyn Forder, Johanna M Duyvestyn, Etiene C Pacidônio, Heather A Flores, Natalie Wittmeier, Kate Retzki, Peter A Ryan, Jai A Denton, Ruth Smithyman, Stephanie K Tanamas, Peter Kyrylos, Yi Dong, Anam Khalid, Lauren Hodgson, Katherine L Anders, Scott L O'Neill
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic; Pacific
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012022; https://doaj.org/article/33ac36fbd4c04b6b89351efadd1e60eb

Pacific Island countries have experienced periodic dengue, chikungunya and Zika outbreaks for decades. The prevention and control of these mosquito-borne diseases rely heavily on control of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which in most settings are the primary vector. Introgression of the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis (wMel strain) into Ae. aegypti populations reduces their vector competence and consequently lowers dengue incidence in the human population. Here we describe successful area-wide deployments of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti in Suva, Lautoka, Nadi (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu) and South Tarawa (Kiribati). With community support, weekly releases of wMel-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes for between 2 to 5 months resulted in wMel introgression in nearly all locations. Long term monitoring confirmed a high, self-sustaining prevalence of wMel infecting mosquitoes in almost all deployment areas. Measurement of public health outcomes were disrupted by the Covid19 pandemic but are expected to emerge in the coming years.