The strategy has already yielded solid results in several Brazilian cities. And as dengue cases continue to rise and Brazil bears one of the heaviest burdens in the world, this new facility gives hope that millions more people will soon get better protection.According to the University of Chicago, mosquito-borne diseases are one of the most serious health problems worldwide, infecting around 700 million people a year with the Zika virus, dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever, all of which can be fatal if left untreated. Unfortunately, the mosquito population is not declining and factors such as climate change and increased global travel are expanding the insects’ habitat. The quest to eradicate mosquitoes is not simple; Insecticides and vaccines cannot completely prevent the development of these diseases.
Brazil makes great progress in dengue control
Brazil has just taken a big leap in its battle against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. In July 2025, the country inaugurated Wolbito do Brasil, a huge new biofactory in Curitiba that is now the largest in the world dedicated to breeding Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This natural bacteria makes it much more difficult for these mosquitoes to spread viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.The Curitiba biofactory signals a real change in public health. Here, researchers produce mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia, a harmless bacteria that prevents viruses from growing inside the mosquito. When these mosquitoes are released into neighborhoods, they mix with wild mosquitoes and, over time, more and more local people carry Wolbachia. That leads to fewer infections in people.No harsh chemicals. Without complicated interventions. Just a long-term nature-based approach to keeping these diseases under control. It has already worked in parts of Brazil, reducing cases and providing some relief to communities hardest hit by outbreaks.
Inside Brazil’s joint mission to stop mosquito-borne diseases
This entire project is a joint effort. The World Mosquito Program, Fiocruz and the Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná came together, taking advantage of years of research and expansion of Wolbachia technology throughout Brazil. Their cooperation has already helped protect more than five million people in eight cities.Now, their partnership means they can increase production, boost research, and bring Wolbachia mosquitoes to more places in the country.What this means for BrazilThe Ministry of Health now considers Wolbachia a key part of Brazil’s national fight against mosquito-borne diseases. In the coming years, they plan to implement the program in more than 40 municipalities, potentially reaching more than 140 million people.And the results? They are quite striking. Since Wolbachia mosquitoes first appeared on the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói in 2014, dengue cases have greatly decreased. Fewer breakouts. Slower spread. People are realizing it.With the new biofactory underway, Brazil hopes to see this kind of progress in city after city.The high price of dengueBrazil has a serious dengue problem. It has more cases than any other country, about one in ten worldwide, and more than 90% of Brazilians are at risk. 2024 was the worst year on record: more than 10 million probable cases and 6,297 deaths.Old-school methods, such as spraying insecticides or cleaning water tanks, help, but they are no longer enough. Climate change, larger cities and mosquitoes that resist insecticides have made things more difficult. That is why Brazil needs new tools and Wolbachia is taking a step forward.How Wolbachia worksWolbachia is a bacteria that appears in many insects, but not at least in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, not alone. Scientists discovered that if Wolbachia is introduced into these mosquitoes, it blocks the viruses that cause dengue, Zika and chikungunya.The mosquito continues to live its normal life, but cannot transmit the virus to people. As Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes reproduce, this virus-blocking power spreads through the mosquito population.It is safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly, a smart way to reduce disease transmission without causing new problems.The launch of Wolbito do Brasil marks a turning point in the global fight against mosquito-borne diseases. With the power to release massive quantities of Wolbachia mosquitoes, Brazil is much better equipped to protect millions from diseases that have tormented families for years.More cities are signing up and the hope is real: fewer outbreaks, fewer deaths, and healthier communities. Experts see Brazil’s approach as a model that other countries can follow.Ultimately, this is science and teamwork in action, tackling one of the world’s most serious health threats and giving people a reason to feel optimistic again.
