"Bacteria-Infected Mosquitoes Combat Dengue in Rio"
In response to a dengue fever outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, the city of Niteroi has seen success in combating the disease through a pilot program that involves breeding mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria, which interrupts the transmission of the dengue virus. This initiative, pioneered by the World Mosquito Program, has significantly reduced the number of dengue cases in Niteroi. Despite challenges such as navigating informal settlements and security concerns, the program has garnered interest from other municipalities in Brazil, prompting plans to build a large factory to breed Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes.