Extreme measures being taken to control Zika Virus

By Michelle Nurse Last updated May 6, 2016

The extreme difficulty in controlling the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito population has forced countries around the world to employ creative means in the ongoing fight against the vector. One such method is the sterile insect technique: using genetically modified mosquitoes as a control method. Jamaica is now one of several countries that will participate in a pilot project to look at using this control measure.

According to Sherine Huntley-Jones, medical entomologist at the Ministry of Health, the International Atomic Energy Agency will be looking to include the sterile insect technique as part of the overall integrated vector-management programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. The first meeting is scheduled to be held in Mexico in July to discuss the full implementation of the project.

“The sterile insect technique is not new, and, in fact, has been used for a number of years as a biological control of insects of medical or agricultural importance, as well as part of integrated vector-management programmes,” she told The Gleaner.

However, Huntley-Jones pointed out that if Jamaica decides to use the genetically modified mosquitoes as a vector-control method, it would be some time before it would be employed as there would be several factors to examine, including the cost.