Monash University's World Mosquito Project (WMP) has received significant funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to fund research into the management of mosquito-borne diseases in Laos.
The second phase of the plan to combat mosquito-borne diseases in Laos was announced by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) Sonexay Siphandone at the ASEAN Special Summit. The signed agreement will strengthen ties between Australia and Laos for a comprehensive partnership.
The next phase of the World Mosquito Program's Wolbachia approach in Laos will be implemented in partnership with the Lao PDR Ministry of Health and Save the Children to target the country's dengue hotspots.
Funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will help a project to help protect more communities from mosquito-borne diseases in the capital, Vientiane.
Wolbachia has been used successfully in Chandabouli & Saisetha districts helping to protect 32 villages with a population of 86,000. The releases ended in August 2023, and public acceptance of the mosquito releases was 99 percent.
Currently operating in 14 countries, breeding and releasing mosquitoes with the Wolphasia bacteria has proven successful in reducing the spread of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.