Page 28 - IB FEB 2019

Health

western side of the main island of Viti Levu
which would be covering an area with a
population of 120,000 people.
Professor Simmons said they been
getting positive feedbacks from their
partner countries regarding the increased
awareness and participations by their
stakeholders.
On the outset, WMP Wolbachia Method
is fast becoming popular amongst their
member countries and Professor Simmons
is optimistic of their programme’s success
and gaining more support in the region.
Processes of wolbachia method
In Fiji, samples collected preferably the
Aesdes Aegypti or Asian Tiger mosquitoes
are sent over to Monash university in
Melbourne, Australia.
This is due to the fact that these par-
ticular breed of mosquitoes are the most
The aggressive tiger mosquito, distinguished by its white stripes, can spread chikungunya virus. This mosquito is na- preferable vectors for Dengue Fever, Ma-
tive to Southeast Asia. Photo: esciencecommons.blogspot.com laria, yellow Fever, Chikungunya and Zika
Virus to name a few.
Wolbachia method reaches the Pacific breed these samples and their offsprings
Scientists in Monash would then study,
until the fifth generation, bearing in mind
By Peni Komaisavai that the life span of these species of mos-
Characteristics of Wolbachia quito ranges from two weeks to a month.
THe newly discovered Wolbachia method bacteria After a lapse of five generations, the
has finally made it to the Pacific, rekindling - The success of Wolbachia’s samples are sent back to Fiji to be released
hopes of the reduction and eradication of comes from its ability to in to the wild to breed with the non-
mosquito borne diseases in the region. manipulate the reproductive wolbachia mosquitoes.
Scientists have uncovered the new process of its host. According to Tavui, the wolbachia bac-
wonder bacteria that can finally minimise - It has evolved in such a way teria is transmitted in the breeding process
the spread of mosquito borne diseases that it can get passed along from a wolbachia mosquito to their wild
in check. generations of host. mate and each offspring of the pair needed
This was made possible through the - Prevents mosquito borne only a few percentage of the bacteria in
World Mosquito Programme’s (WMP) diseases from spreading. order to prevent them from spreading any
initiative to introduce their Wolbachia - Reduces the population of mosquito-related illnesses.
method to their Pacific Island partner mosquitoes. The Wolbachia bacterium affects the
countries, Fiji, Vanuatu, kiribati and New mosquito population in two ways; one is
Caledonia last year. the transmission through reproduction,
The partnership saw WMP implement- Vanuatu and kiribati. and the other is that it can reduce mosquito
ing their Wolbachia Method to the com- For Fiji alone, their share of the funds population in an area.
munities of these Pacific Island Countries fueled their operations in the Central divi- This process is called Cytoplasmic In-
(PICs). sion of Viti Levu covering over 12 com- compatibility.
Their acceptance of the Wolbachia munities, 10 schools with 1000 students It happens when a wild female mosquito
Method meant that the PICs are beginning and engaging 300 volunteer families mates with a male wolbachia carrier, re-
to wake up and take their place with the hosting mosquito traps at their homes sulting in their eggs being unable to hatch.
global community in combating the threat across Suva and neighbouring suburbs The formulas are as follows; Female
of mosquito borne diseases. of Nakasi and Lami. Carrier mates with wild males, their off-
This was a big break in the fight against In addition, WMP Wolbachia Fiji Project spring will be carriers.
mosquito-borne diseases following the co-ordinator Aminiasi Tavui said with the Female Carriers mates with male carri-
Samoan Dengue fever scare back in 2017 assistance of their volunteer hosts, their ers, their off-springs will be carriers.
that saw many tourists reluctantly choos- releases of Wolbachia mosquitoes totaled Research has shown that only the
ing the Pacific Island Countries as one of up to an estimate of 500,000 per week. females bite whereas the males do not,
their holiday destinations. A further boost to their efforts is the but this does not render the males utterly
WMP’s Director, Oceania hub, Profes- additional NZD2.7(uSD1.86m) million useless to process as they are released in
sor Cameron Simmons said the logistics funding they would be receiving from the to the wild for breeding purposes.
and implementations of these projects New Zealand Government’s Ministry of In terms of eggs, female aesdes aegypti
was funded by the Australian Govern- Foreign Affair and Trade (MFAT). lay-up to 100 to 200 eggs per batch and
ment’s InnovationXchange contributing These funds would be directed to their each females on an average lay up to five
AuD7.7(uSD5.52m) million for Fiji, soon to be opened area of operation in the batches in one lifetime.

28 Islands Business, February 2019