NICOSIA: Cyprus has launched a unique initiative to combat disease-carrying mosquitoes by introducing hundreds of thousands of sterilized insects through radiation. The focus of the effort is to eliminate the Aedes aegypti mosquito species, which has been found in large numbers in the coastal town of Larnaca, to prevent its potential spread to continental Europe.
According to Herodotos Herodotou, the head of Cyprus’ Environmental Health Services, the program aims to address both the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito varieties. These mosquitoes can transmit dangerous diseases such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and West Nile virus, posing a threat to human health.
Cyprus Mosquitoes Sterilization Program
Under the program, Cyprus collects and sends mosquito eggs and adult insects to laboratories in Italy and Austria. The insects are then separated into male and female mosquitoes. The males undergo sterilization through exposure to ionizing radiation at the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna.
Approximately 100,000 sterilized male mosquitoes are returned to the island each week. They are released at specific locations and times for breeding after being fed. Since the sterile males cannot produce offspring, the mosquito population gradually diminishes.
The program, previously implemented in other European countries such as Italy and Greece, will continue until the end of the year. The majority of the program’s cost is covered by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The sterilization program offers a significant advantage as it eliminates the need for potentially harmful insecticides to control the mosquito population.
