Biofactory work to control dengue fever is completed in MG | Brazil

In three months of 2024, dengue has already killed more than in the last five years, in Belo Horizonte. Disclosure

The work on the Wolbachia Method Biofactory in Belo Horizonte has been completed. The first cities that will receive the project will be announced this Monday (29).

The method consists of releasing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected, in the laboratory, with the Wolbachia bacteria, which causes them to reproduce with other mosquitoes and spread the bacteria. It prevents the dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses from developing in the infected mosquito. Consequently, it contributes to the reduction of transmitted diseases.

The idea is to release the mosquitoes produced not only in the capital of Minas Gerais, but also in other cities in Brazil. The first insects are expected to be released in the second half of 2024.

70% reduction in dengue cases

The latest data released by those responsible for the method show that there was a 70% reduction in dengue cases where the intervention was carried out, as is the case in the city of Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro.

On Monday afternoon, there will be a ceremony with representatives from the Ministry of Health, Fiocruz, the World Mosquito Program Brazil, responsible for the project, as well as the governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema. Representatives from the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais, the Federal Public Ministry and the Public Defender’s Office of Minas Gerais also participate.

The money to build the biofactory was the result of the Judicial Agreement signed by the public authorities with Vale, due to the damage caused by the collapse of the dam at the Córrego Feijão Mine, in Brumadinho, 2019.

The completion of the Biofactory in Belo Horizonte occurs amidst the worst dengue epidemic in the history of Minas Gerais.

The state recorded a record number of deaths from the disease. So far, the State Department of Health has confirmed 288 deaths in 2024. The number surpassed 2016, which until then was the worst epidemiological scenario, with 281 deaths. Despite this, infectologists point out that the disease has been declining in the state.