Sterilising mosquitoes by radiology could halt spread of dengue fever

BANGKOK: As dengue fever remains a deadly threat to lives with increasing number of patients, the Thai Institute of Nuclear Technology has proposed radiology process to sterilise Aedes mosquito, the main carrier of the dengue virus, in the effort to reduce the spread of the carriers.

According to health officials, this year saw a dramatic increase of the number of Thai people being afflicted with dengue fever.

They said this was the result of the exponential increase of the number of Aedes mosquito population in the country.

The rising concern forced health officials to consider ways to reduce their number.

The Thai National Institute of Nuclear Technology has proposed employing radiology as a means of sterilizing mosquitoes which they say will result in a dramatic reduction in their numbers.

The experiment was conducted in Nakhon Nayok office of the Institute.

Nuclear technology scientists here said the first step in the process is to bring in Aedes mosquitoes that are free of dengue virus and breed them in sealed containers. These will be kept until they reach larvae stage and finally growing to pupa or worm stage.

At this stage, scientists will then separate the males from the females which will then be irradiated.

Upon reaching pupa stage, scientists are now able to differentiate between the sexes as the males have a significantly smaller head than the females.

The males will then be separated and put into containers which will be irradiated with 70 Gy (Gray) of Gamma rays for a little over a minute from Cobalt 60 radiology machines which will render them sterile.

The process poses no danger to human or pet animals as the intensity is comparable to radio-waves and micro-waves that we encounter on a daily basis

One of the scientists Wanich Limh-Ophasommanee said they have discovered that the amount of radiation that these mosquitoes are exposed to will render them 100% sterile.

Other than that, they are not in any way physically harmed. They are still healthy males that are able to compete in the wild with other males to breed.

The scientist said that the irradiated mosquitoes will be kept until they reach maturity before being released. Tests have shown that females that have been fertilized by these male mosquitoes produce eggs that do not hatch.

“When these sterilized males are released into the wild and breed with females, the eggs will not have been fertilized and will fail to hatch. This in turn will directly result in a dramatic reduction of the next generation of Aedes mosquitoes,” he said.

As we continue to release more of them, each subsequent generation will see their numbers reduced even further. We may even see a complete eradication of the species in some certain areas.

He said first trials to release the sterilized mosquitoes will be carried out soon to see if these males can compete with normal male Aedes mosquitoes to breed in the wild.

The success ratio can then be determined so that the correct numbers to be released in a particular area can be specified. The scientists say that the trials should be completed within 2 – 3 months.

These sterilized mosquitoes will be released into critical areas in the country to help curb the spread of dengue fever and other mosquito related diseases, he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151728

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-20

Stop trying to screw around with nature, just increase precautionary measures, medication and education on the risks.

Next we will have bloody radioactive midgies roaming around.

Baygon........works in my house even if it's not the best remedy!

Heaven forbid that Thais mess with radiology...

Whohoah ! Attitude adjustment for mosquitoes !

There must be trillions of mosquitoes in Thailand. These guys are going to be busy.

Stop trying to screw around with nature, just increase precautionary measures, medication and education on the risks.

Next we will have bloody radioactive midgies roaming around.

Well, if they glow in the dark it would make it easier to zap them...

Weapons of Mossie Destruction?

Will a team come to the house and radiate everything?

Interesting how the majority didn't even read the article, but jumped as soon as they finished the headline.

The idea itself is not bad...BUT if we consider some factors such as the number of mosquitoes, how far they travel, how many of them die and so on and if we add the fact that they have to separate the male from female MANUALLY, then I believe that those "hybrid" male mosquitoes will represent less than 0.1% even in a specific area which result in nothing.

They should find a way to sterilize them in a much faster way and release more than 100,000 of them in the affected area and maybe we could see some changes.

Can you imagine Thai mossies being patient enough to wait inline for their dose?

What a truly dumb idea

perfect idea from hub of intelligence.....How many mozzis you can catch a day? Thousand, ten thousand? And how many are flying and biting? Trillions? Trigintillions? Or more?

Despite the cynical comments here the idea of using modified mosquitoes to reduce the spread of disease is not new.

Irradiation and genetic modification are methodologies have/are being tested/trialed in many countries.

For those who can read the link will inform

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20827-anti-dengue-mosquitoes-released-in-australia/

Why are some TV people so anxious to rubbish any Thai attempt at innovation?

The Thai Institute of Nuclear Technology !!, they have to be kidding.

regards Worgeordie

The Thai Institute of Nuclear Technology !!, they have to be kidding.

regards Worgeordie

NOT "kidding"

http://www.tint.or.th/index.php/en/

What is your problem ?

UN Nuclear Agency Wants to Use Radiation On Zika Mosquitoes

The Thai Institute of Nuclear Technology !!, they have to be kidding.

regards Worgeordie

NOT "kidding"

http://www.tint.or.th/index.php/en/

What is your problem ?

His problem is that he thinks Thais are fools and incapable of doing anything right.

The Thai Institute of Nuclear Technology !!, they have to be kidding.

NOT "kidding"

http://www.tint.or.th/index.php/en/

What is your problem ?

His problem is that he thinks Thais are fools and incapable of doing anything right.

slight correction: BPOBLÈÈÈM not problem.

British technology. Already done in Brazil - release millions of infertile males at a time, dropping reproduction rates by 90 per cent or better. The scientists are already discussing the ethics of eliminating entire species of mosquitoes - someone here must have been looking at Al Jazeera, who have been reporting on it in depth for two weeks or more. Maybe a good technique to use on wannabe copycat scientists.

Edited February 20, 201610 yr by dru2

The process poses no danger to human or pet animals as the intensity is comparable to radio-waves and micro-waves that we encounter on a daily basis

Anyone else feel their testicles shrivel a little bit when they read that the amount of micro waves we encounter on a daily basis is enough to sterilize a skeeter exposed for a little over a minute?

British technology. Already done in Brazil - release millions of infertile males at a time, dropping reproduction rates by 90 per cent or better. The scientists are already discussing the ethics of eliminating entire species of mosquitoes - someone here must have been looking at Al Jazeera, who have been reporting on it in depth for two weeks or more. Maybe a good technique to use on wannabe copycat scientists.

Clearly you have not heard about nor understand the concept of collaborative "Open Science"

Here is a simple introduction from Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_science

Stop trying to screw around with nature, just increase precautionary measures, medication and education on the risks.

Next we will have bloody radioactive midgies roaming around.

Being exposed to radiation does not make the mozzie radioactive.

If that was the case then we would all be walking around glowing after an 'X-ray' at the hospital.

In fact you have x-ray and gamma ray sources, as they say here, same same but different.

Google both and you will understand.

Too long to go into here, Google is your friend.

British technology. Already done in Brazil - release millions of infertile males at a time, dropping reproduction rates by 90 per cent or better. The scientists are already discussing the ethics of eliminating entire species of mosquitoes - someone here must have been looking at Al Jazeera, who have been reporting on it in depth for two weeks or more. Maybe a good technique to use on wannabe copycat scientists.

Clearly you have not heard about nor understand the concept of collaborative "Open Science"

Here is a simple introduction from Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_science

Mea culpa. It's not the science - it's the reporting. I guess I should have made that clear.

Edited February 20, 201610 yr by dru2

Daft idea! Only half doing the job. The female species should also be treated the same way and released. If they come into contact with fertile untreated males, then it will help reduced the their population growth even further. If a job is worth doing, then it is worth doing well.

Edited March 6, 201610 yr by metisdead
Bold font removed.

The Thai Institute of Nuclear Technology !!, they have to be kidding.

regards Worgeordie

http://www.tint.or.th/index.php/en/

Is there some USA monopoly ?

I think they`ve all ready started. Last week my girlfriend was bitten by a mosquito and 2 days later she was glowing in the dark.

Despite the cynical comments here the idea of using modified mosquitoes to reduce the spread of disease is not new.

Irradiation and genetic modification are methodologies have/are being tested/trialed in many countries.

For those who can read the link will inform

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20827-anti-dengue-mosquitoes-released-in-australia/

Why are some TV people so anxious to rubbish any Thai attempt at innovation?

It is not Thai innovation. Rather it is an attempt to copy a strategy used in other countries. Know what's missing?

- The expertise to undertake the activity, You know, "stuff" like qualified entomologists, epidemiologists and geneticists and competent technical personnel to properly apply the concept.

- The support and infrastructure.

- Public education and support for prevention.

- Enforcement of environmental rules & regulations combined with responsible behavior to reduce mosquito breeding reservoirs.

Thailand does not innovate when it comes to the control and prevention of epidemics. It instead relies on the intellectual capital and investments of the developed world. The USA has been providing much of the the money and expertise since 1963. Thailand provides the patients, field workers and local lab facilities.

This isn't some new idea that thais have come up with. CSIRO in Cairns Australia have been doing this for a few years now.

'Why are some TV people so anxious to rubbish any Thai attempt at innovation?'

Show me.