What is ‘Miraculous’ mosquito hack ?

Why in News ?

Recently, in Yogyakarta city of Indonesia, dengue fever cases have been cut by 77% through a trial that manipulates the mosquitoes spreading dengue.

About the trial

• Scientists used mosquitoes infected with “miraculous bacteria” and released across the cities. These bacteria reduce insect’s ability to spread dengue.
• Trial used mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria.
• Wolbachia doesn’t harm mosquito, but it goes in same parts of its body where dengue virus needs to get into.
• The bacteria compete for resources and make it much harder for dengue virus to replicate, so the mosquito is less likely to cause an infection when it bites again.
• According to team of World Mosquito Programme, this method can be a solution to virus that has spread worldwide.
• The technique is successful and mosquitoes have been released across whole city. This project is targeting to cover more areas with the aim of eradicating dengue.