Mosquito bacteria could 'limit' dengue impact

The spread of dengue fever can be curbed by limiting the lifespan of mosquitos, Australian scientists have claimed.

Researchers at the University of Queensland believe this can be achieved by exposing mosquitos carrying the virus to the Wolbachia bacterium.

The bacteria is harmless to humans, but could limit the spread of the dengue virus, which is only transmitted by older mosquito.

So far tests have only been carried out in laboratories, where the bacteria was found to reduce the lifespan of the dengue carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitos and can be passed on to offspring.

"If that proves successful we hope to deploy this new dengue control measure in other parts of Australia, as well as Thailand and Vietnam," explained professor Scott O'Neil.

There is no known cure for dengue fever, which harms up to 100 million people per year and kills around 20,000.

It is particularly prevalent in tropical areas where there is limited access to treatment for infections diseases.

The paper appears in the journal Science and the research project has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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