世界蚊子日｜中国“以蚊治蚊”技术已走向世界 人类找到对抗蚊子的“长效妙方”了？

Core Insights - The article discusses the ongoing battle between humans and mosquitoes, highlighting the significant health risks posed by mosquitoes as vectors for diseases like malaria and dengue fever, which result in approximately 780,000 deaths annually according to WHO data [1][2][3] Group 1: Mosquito Control Methods - Traditional mosquito control methods include physical measures such as cleaning breeding grounds and using mosquito nets, as well as chemical methods like insect repellents and sprays [3] - A new method called "Wolbachia-infected male mosquito release" is being implemented by Guangzhou Weibai Kun Biological Technology Co., Ltd. to reduce mosquito populations by releasing sterilized male mosquitoes that cannot produce viable offspring [8][12][31] Group 2: Case Studies and Results - The "Wolbachia" method has been tested in various locations, including a successful pilot project in a community in Guangzhou that maintained low mosquito populations for a year after the release of sterilized males [8][9] - In a separate trial on islands, the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes led to an 83% to 94% reduction in wild mosquito populations over two years, demonstrating the method's effectiveness [15][18] Group 3: Global Adoption and Research - The technique has gained international attention, with countries like Brazil and Singapore adopting similar methods to combat mosquito-borne diseases, showing significant reductions in mosquito populations and disease transmission [19][28] - The technology's origins trace back to research conducted by Xi Zhiyong, who established the relationship between Wolbachia and mosquito species, leading to the development of this innovative control method [14][26] Group 4: Economic and Operational Aspects - The primary revenue for companies like Weibai Kun comes from government contracts and services provided to commercial clients, indicating a strong market demand for effective mosquito control solutions [31][33] - The cost of releasing sterilized mosquitoes is approximately 2 yuan per square meter, with the potential to reduce mosquito populations by 50% within three weeks and up to 80% within six to eight weeks [35][36] Group 5: Challenges and Future Directions - Despite the promising results, the adoption of the "Wolbachia" method faces challenges, including cost perceptions and the need for updated mosquito control standards by local governments [34][37] - Long-term effectiveness remains a concern, particularly in the context of climate change, which may affect the viability of the Wolbachia strain used in various environments [38]