New technologies are revolutionizing dengue fever prevention, and News Directory 3 is on top of the news. The core focus? From gene therapy to AI-driven mosquito control, scientists are deploying innovative tools to combat this global health threat. Explore how gene editing,sterile insect techniques,and refined AI models are reshaping the fight.Learn also about fresh insecticides and the use of drones. Discover what’s next in the ongoing battle against dengue.
Innovative Technologies Target Dengue Fever Prevention
Updated June 01,2025
Scientists are deploying cutting-edge technologies to combat dengue fever,targeting both the virus and its mosquito vector. These approaches range from genetic engineering to artificial intelligence, offering new hope in the fight against this deadly disease. Several strategies are already in use, while others remain experimental.
One promising avenue involves genetically modifying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to prevent them from transmitting the dengue virus. Researchers at UC San Diego have successfully transferred genes from the human immune system, conferring immunity to all four dengue serotypes.These engineered mosquitoes produce antibodies that neutralize the virus, preventing its replication and transmission.
Another gene-based approach focuses on preventing mosquitoes from reaching sexual maturity. This technique disrupts the hormone balance necessary for their development, causing them to die before they can reproduce.
The sterile insect technique (SIT) is also gaining traction. the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is using a U.S. government grant to refine this method, which involves sterilizing male mosquitoes with radiation and releasing them into the wild to reduce the population. Separating male and female mosquitoes during rearing remains a key challenge.
Verily, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is employing the Wolbachia bacteria technique, developed by the World Mosquito Program, to prevent female Aedes mosquitoes from transmitting dengue. Their approach includes elegant sensors, algorithms, and engineering to efficiently sort mosquitoes by sex and optimize release strategies.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in dengue prevention. A non-profit organization is combining Wolbachia with AI and machine learning to create predictive models that identify optimal release points for Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes.
In Catalonia, Spain, the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) has developed Vectrack, an AI-powered system that uses sensors and satellite communications to classify mosquitoes and assess their potential for causing infection, providing real-time risk maps for public health officials.
Satellite technology is also being used to guide preventative measures. the Dengue MOsquito Simulation from satellites (D-MOSS) project uses Earth observation data, weather forecasts, and water flow models to issue dengue alerts and assess risk under various climate and land-use scenarios.
In Sri Lanka, the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) is using drones to identify and fumigate mosquito-breeding sites, leveraging geographic information systems (GIS) to model dengue fever outbreaks.
Other innovative approaches include a Malaysian start-up’s “solar-powered mosquito eliminator,” which attracts mosquitoes and traps their eggs in a solution that prevents hatching. Additionally, researchers at Ben-Gurion University in Israel are developing “Trojan Mosquitoes” that carry bacteria lethal to mosquito larvae, spreading the bacteria during mating.
Bio-gene Technology in Australia has developed Flavocide, an insecticide derived from eucalyptus trees that is highly toxic to adult mosquitoes. furthermore, scientists are exploring topical treatments that can elicit an immune response at the site of a mosquito bite, restricting the dengue virus’s ability to replicate.
What’s next
As these dengue-fighting technologies continue to evolve, further research and development will be crucial to optimize their effectiveness and ensure their widespread implementation. The integration of multiple strategies, tailored to specific local contexts, holds the greatest promise for considerably reducing the global burden of dengue fever.
