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Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil

By Washington Examiner
Published September 24, 2014 7:20pm ET
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Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil
A technician shows mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. The scientists at the Rio de Janeiro-based Fiocruz research institute are taking part in a global project to release the mosquitoes. Some scientists estimate that around 390 million people get dengue each year. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) | Silvia Izquierdo

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian researchers have freed a batch of mosquitoes infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria they hope can combat the tropical disease naturally.

Scientists at the Rio de Janeiro-based Fiocruz research institute are taking part in a global project to release the mosquitoes. Similar action has already taken place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

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