Brazil has opened the world’s largest factory for breeding special mosquitoes that can help stop diseases like dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.

The factory, called Wolbito do Brasil, is in Curitiba and breeds Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry a harmless bacterium called Wolbachia. This bacterium stops the mosquitoes from spreading viruses to humans.

The project is a partnership between the World Mosquito Program (WMP), Fiocruz, and the Institute of Molecular Biology of Paraná (IBMP). It builds on ten years of research and field trials in Brazilian cities like Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, where the method has already reduced mosquito-borne infections.

The new biofactory will be able to produce about 100 million mosquito eggs every week—around five billion a year. These will be distributed by Brazil’s Ministry of Health to cities with high dengue rates. Within ten years, the program hopes to protect more than half of Brazil’s population.

Luciano Moreira, the CEO of Wolbito do Brasil, said the facility will help reduce disease cases across the country. He described it as a “collective achievement” that shows Brazil’s strong commitment to science and public health.

Dengue is a serious problem in Brazil, which accounts for about one-tenth of all cases in the world. In 2024, there were over 10 million probable cases and more than 6,000 deaths. Scott O’Neill, founder of the World Mosquito Program, said Brazil’s success could become a model for the other 129 countries affected by dengue.

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha said the new factory shows how Brazil is using science and innovation to strengthen national health systems and reduce dependence on imported technology.

The Wolbachia method is also cost-effective. Once introduced, the bacterium stays in the mosquito population naturally, without the need for repeated releases. Studies suggest that for every one real (R$1.00) spent on the program, the country saves between R$43 and R$549 in medical and productivity costs.

Source: World Mosquito Program.