LEXINGTON, Ky., April 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MosquitoMate, Inc., a leader in
innovative mosquito control solutions, today announced that the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted
registration for its revolutionary new product named "WB1 Males."
This new mosquito control pesticide represents a significant
advancement in mosquito control. "The timing is critical, because
we are experiencing more disease and invasive mosquitoes, while at
the same time, we have fewer tools to fight mosquitoes," said Dr.
Stephen Dobson, President at
MosquitoMate, Inc. The WB1 pesticide specifically targets the
Aedes aegypti mosquito, commonly known as the Yellow Fever
mosquito. This mosquito is infamous as one of the most important
mosquito carriers of human disease, including the viruses that
cause Zika, dengue, chickungunya and its namesake: the Yellow Fever
virus.
The innovative new Wolbachia pesticide is unusual in that it
consists of rearing and releasing male mosquitoes that are infected
with a bacterium named 'Wolbachia.' The approach does not use
chemicals or genetic modification. Only female mosquitoes
bite, while male mosquitoes do not bite or transmit disease-causing
pathogens. The Wolbachia-bacterium causes male mosquitoes to
be effectively sterile, through a natural mechanism known as
'Cytoplasmic Incompatibility' (CI). Those female mosquitoes that
mate with the Wolbachia-infected males lay eggs that do not hatch,
causing the mosquito population to decline without the need to use
chemicals.
MosquitoMate began working with the EPA to register the new
pesticide more than a decade ago. The Wolbachia-infected male
mosquitoes are known as 'WB1 males', and MosquitoMate has performed
successful field studies using the WB1 males in California, Florida and other locations. As an example, an
independent review by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
reported the reduction of a Texas
Ae. aegypti population by more than 90% following the
release of WB1 males. With the EPA's new registration,
MosquitoMate can now begin to roll out the WB1 males nationally,
including Caribbean and Pacific
territories, which have traditionally been heavily impacted by
diseases transmitted by the Yellow Fever mosquito.
Dengue Fever: A Global Threat (and Coming to a City Near
You?)
Dengue fever poses a significant public health threat worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a
neglected tropical disease, highlighting the burden it places on
many developing countries. Brazil,
a nation long familiar with Dengue outbreaks, has recently
experienced a particularly concerning surge, with more than
1.6 million cases of dengue since the start of 2024. A similar,
concerning pattern is occurring throughout the Americas,
Caribbean and in Asia.
In recent years, the growing vulnerability extends beyond
traditional hotspots. For example, in 2023 California witnessed the first confirmed cases
of locally acquired Dengue fever. Similarly, Florida has also observed higher-than-normal
Dengue activity, and Puerto Rico
recently declared a 'dengue state of emergency.' These
developments serve as a stark reminder that even temperate regions
are not immune to mosquito-borne diseases, and the need for
effective control measures is more urgent than ever.
A Natural Defense with Targeted Releases
WB1 Males offer a powerful and effective defense against
mosquitoes using a natural biological control method. Specifically,
WB1 male mosquitoes carry a naturally-occurring bacterium named
Wolbachia pipientis, which is commonly found in butterflies,
bees and other insects. When WB1 Males mate with female Aedes
aegypti mosquitoes, the Wolbachia bacteria disrupts egg
development, preventing the eggs from hatching. This effectively
reduces the mosquito population and minimizes the spread of
mosquito-borne diseases. Importantly, unlike female mosquitoes,
male mosquitoes do not bite or transmit pathogens. "The released
WB1 males fly around looking for female mosquitoes, mating and
sterilizing them," says Dobson. This approach offers effective
mosquito control while not requiring chemicals or genetic
modification. "This approach offers targeted, species-specific
mosquito control for communities and individuals, while maintaining
the high safety standards expected by the EPA," Dobson emphasizes.
"A similar Wolbachia-based product was listed as organic by the
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), and we plan to apply for
a similar organic listing for WB1," says Dobson.
Key Features of WB1 Males:
- Chemical and GMO-Free: WB1 Males leverage a
naturally occurring bacteria and avoid harsh chemicals or genetic
modification.
- Effective Mosquito Control: WB1 Males effectively
target and reduce populations of Aedes
aegypti mosquitoes, the primary transmitter of Dengue
fever.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: WB1 Males are a
natural solution with low environmental impact, minimizing the
impact on beneficial insects and non-target organisms.
- For Family and Community Use: WB1 Males are
registered by the EPA for use around homes and businesses.
- Easy to Use: WB1 Male programs are implemented
through the repeated release of male mosquitoes, which do not bite
or transmit disease. Simply release the WB1 males, and let the male
mosquitoes do the work of finding the female mosquitoes and
sterilizing them.
Next Steps and Availability Timeline
The WB1 Male EPA registration comes at a time when we face an
evolving threat landscape within the
United States. Mosquito control professionals are grappling
with a growing challenge: mosquitoes are developing resistance to
chemical insecticides at an alarming rate. This leaves communities
and professionals with fewer effective tools to combat mosquitoes
and the diseases they transmit. Additionally, some previously used
chemicals are being removed from use due to concerns about human
and environmental health. This is occurring at a time when
communities are facing new invasive species of mosquitoes, and
scientists are concerned about the impact that global climate
change will have on mosquito spread and disease transmission.
With the EPA registration secured, MosquitoMate, Inc. is now
focused on the critical next steps: collaborating with state and
local regulatory authorities to obtain the necessary permits for
WB1 Male use in areas with the greatest need. This collaborative
effort will ensure a smooth and comprehensive rollout of the WB1
Male program across the United
States and Territories. As these state and local approvals
are secured, WB1 Male programs are expected to be available for use
by municipalities and pest control professionals in designated
areas nationwide. MosquitoMate, Inc. looks forward to partnering
with local communities and mosquito control agencies to expedite
this process and make WB1 Males a valuable tool in the fight
against mosquito-borne diseases.
CONTACT: media@mosquitomate.com
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