Introduction of Wolbachia into Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes as a Biological Control Strategy for Combating Dengue

First name: 
Victoria
Last name: 
Balta
Class Year: 
2014
Advisor: 
Nicholas Robinson
Essay Abstract: 
The objective of this paper is to discuss the potential efficacy and feasibility of the introduction of the Wolbachia bacterium into Aedes aegypti mosquitos as a biological control strategy for combating dengue. It will discuss the biology of the dengue virus as well as how the introduction of Wolbachia functions on a biological level to slow the spread of the virus in mosquitoes. The success of limited field trials will be taken into account to help inform the hypothesis that the introduction of Wolbachia is paramount to slowing the rapid spread of dengue. Additionally, this paper will address the issues in moving from field trials to national plans for implementation of this bacterium to control dengue transmission as well as the potential global effect of implementation.