Djibouti Launches the Pilot Release of GM Mosquitoes
May 29, 2024| |
On May 23, the Government of Djibouti launched the pilot release of Oxitec's Friendly™ Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, the first time a genetically modified (GM) mosquito has been released in East Africa. This ground-breaking initiative marks a crucial step in mitigating the increasing number of malaria cases in the region.
The Djibouti Friendly™ Mosquito Program is a public-private partnership between Djibouti's National Malaria Control Program, the public health not-for-profit Association Mutualis, and Oxitec Ltd. This program intends to halt the spread of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito, a primary vector of malaria, which is predicted to threaten over 100 million urban residents throughout Africa.
“Today's launch is a significant national milestone, but what's even more exciting is the potential the solution has for the region and entire African continent. We hope our pilot release of Oxitec's innovative Friendly™ mosquitoes will serve as a blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges with the spread of malaria,” Colonel Dr. Abdoulilah Ahmed Abdi, Health Advisor to the President of Djibouti said.
For more information, read the press release from Oxitec.
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