Sterile male mosquitoes released in Lisbon to curb Asian tiger mosquito
Health officials released sterile male Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the Alvalade district of Lisbon as part of an experimental effort to suppress the Asian tiger mosquito population.
In Alvalade, Lisbon, public health authorities released sterile male Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, a species known for transmitting diseases such as dengue, Zika and yellow fever. Because only females bite, the released males pose no direct biting risk. They were sterilized through a validated method and will compete with existing wild males, potentially lowering the overall mosquito population.
The initial stage focuses on observing the insects' dispersal patterns and survival rates, while a follow-up phase is slated for a later date if outcomes are favorable. The initiative builds on similar sterile-insect techniques used elsewhere, including fruit-fly control in the Algarve. Funding comes from the International Atomic Energy Agency, with participation from the Unidade de Saúde Pública Francisco George, the Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria, the Direção-Geral da Saúde, INSA, the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, the Junta de Freguesia de Alvalade, and the Spanish firm Tragsa.
