Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are kept in cages for researchers to collect their eggs, in a laboratory belonging to the biotechnology company Wolbito. Nelson Almeida/AFP Campinas (SP) was selected by the Ministry of Health to adopt the Wolbachia Method in the city, a strategy that uses Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with a bacterium capable of preventing the transmission of dengue, zika and chikungunya - understand how the technology works below. The release of modified insects is expected to begin in May 2027 and the first impacts will be observed in 2028. The announcement was made this Tuesday (7) by the city hall. To participate in the program, the municipality formalized the acceptance of the invitation from the federal government and will receive, from August onwards, technical support from the company responsible for implementing the technology in Brazil. ? In 2024, Campinas asked the Ministry of Health to be included in the program, but was left out of the first phase of expansion due to limitations in mosquito production capacity and was placed on a "waiting list". That year, the metropolis was experiencing the third largest epidemic of the disease since 1998. SEE ALSO Campinas gains biofactory capable of producing 190 million mosquitoes with bacteria that block dengue transmission Aquaculture, diet and cages: how biofactory wants to produce 190 million mosquitoes with bacteria to fight dengue How biofactory wants to produce 190 million mosquitoes with bacteria to fight dengue ? What is the Wolbachia? Wolbachia is an intracellular bacterium, naturally present in around 60% of insects, and is not transmissible to humans or animals. When inserted into the Aedes aegypti mosquito, it prevents the dengue virus from replicating within the insect's organism. Therefore, even if the mosquito bites a person, it does not transmit the disease. The technique is called population replacement: mosquitoes with Wolbachia are released into the environment and reproduce with wild mosquitoes. The bacteria is passed on to descendants, and little by little, the local population becomes mainly composed of mosquitoes that do not transmit the viruses. In addition to preventing the transmission of viruses, Wolbachia also prevents mosquitoes from reproducing in some cases: If a male with Wolbachia mates with a female that does not have the bacteria, the eggs she produces will not produce offspring; If the female has Wolbachia and the male does not, she produces her normal number of eggs, and all the offspring will have Wolbachia; When two insects with Wolbachia mate, the same thing happens, and all the offspring will have Wolbachia. ? Release begins in 2027 According to the Campinas Health Department, the forecast is that the release of mosquitoes will occur from May 2027, a period in which there is normally a reduction in the circulation of the virus. The insects are expected to be released over 26 weeks. The city hall’s expectation is that the results will begin to be seen from 2028 onwards. ? Project foresees biofactory and investment of up to R$ 22 million To make the initiative viable, Campinas intends to implement a biofactory for the development of mosquitoes, hire 59 environmental control agents and two biologists, in addition to renting 14 vehicles and purchasing equipment. The estimated cost of the project varies between R$20 million and R$22 million. Of this total, R$7 million will be transferred by the Ministry of Health, while the remainder will be financed by the municipal budget. The company Wolbitos, responsible for operating the technology in Brazil, will provide technical advice, team training, public awareness actions, in addition to the eggs with Wolbachia used in the production of mosquitoes. ? The goal is to reach 60% of mosquitoes with Wolbachia. The results will be monitored by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). According to Ministry of Health guidelines, the method will be considered effective when at least 60% of the local Aedes aegypti population is carrying the bacteria. The expectation of health authorities is that the strategy will become a permanent tool to combat arboviruses, complementing measures already adopted, such as elimination of breeding sites, vaccination and vector control actions. VIDEOS: Everything about Campinas and the Region See more news about the region on the g1 Campinas page.