Gan Renxian's team releases between 300,000 to 500,000 sterilized male mosquitoes each week to combat dengue fever. Photo: Guangzhou Daily

 

In a unique approach to combat dengue fever, Xiashicun village in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, has implemented a strategy known as "mosquito control by mosquito." A specialized team releases between 300,000 to 500,000 sterilized male mosquitoes each week. 

This method has proven effective over the past seven years, with no dengue cases reported in the village, according to Guangzhou Daily.

"These male mosquitoes do not bite or feed on blood, making them a sustainable solution for reducing Aedes populations," explained researcher Gan Renxian. The strategy aims to lower the population of Aedes albopictus by releasing sterilized males that, when mating with wild females, produce eggs that do not hatch. "We refer to these male mosquitoes as 'benign mosquitoes,'" Gan added.

Some 150 areas in Guangzhou are currently facing dengue fever outbreak risks.

Guangzhou Daily