Djibouti is feeling a new buzz – mosquitoes fighting other mosquitoes – in their fifight against malaria
The city introduced a strain of non-biting male Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes to combat vector-borne diseases like malaria. Scientists used self-limiting genes that had already worked with Aedes aegypti (the Zika virus, dengue and other vectors), creating genetically modified mosquitoes (GMOs).
According to Oxiteca biotechnology company, its Friendly™ female mosquitoes are genetically modified so that female offspring cannot live, ensuring that only male mosquitoes are produced for release. GMO male mosquitoes are released into the population where they mate with wild females, thereby gradually suppressing the target mosquito population.
The revolutionary Djibouti Friendly™ Mosquito program was launched through a collaboration between the Djibouti National Malaria Control Program, Association Mutualis and Oxitec.
The first trial of non-biting male mosquitoes was conducted in Ambouli, a community in Djibouti City, after being reviewed and approved by Djibouti government regulatory authorities, and launched with the importation of Friendly™ mosquitoes into Djibouti in December 2023.
Oxitec reports that this test version was carried out after two years of research into Anopheles stephensi occurrence, population size and habits in various cities and neighborhoods, and involved engagement with communities and stakeholders. During the design and implementation of the field studies, health workers, local leaders and regional experts actively participated in workshops and public meetings.
“Our government's goal is to urgently reverse malaria transmission in Djibouti, which has increased over the past decade,” said Colonel Dr. Abdoulilah Ahmed Abdi, health advisor to the President of Djibouti.
“Today’s launch is an important national milestone, but what is even more exciting is the potential of the solution for the region and the entire African continent. We hope that our pilot version of Oxitec's innovative Friendly™ mosquitoes will serve as a model for other countries facing similar problems. challenges linked to the spread of malaria.
Djibouti almost eradicated malaria in 2012, with only 27 cases reported. However, in the following years, the number of cases increased significantly, reaching 73,000 in 2020. This latest technology gives hope to the global race against malaria – a disease that causes around 600,000 deaths each year with Sub-Saharan Africa bear the weight of the burden.