MELBOURNE, Australia, November 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
A Brazilian researcher is part of an international group of scientists whose fight against dengue fever has been acknowledged with a prestigious science prize in Australia.
Dr Luciano Moreira from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil was one of six long-time collaborators from the Eliminate Dengue program who recently received the 2013 Australian Museum Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research.
The Eliminate Dengue research program is an international collaboration led by Professor Scott O'Neill, Dean of Science at Monash University in Australia. The research is developing and testing a biological control method to reduce dengue transmission. The method is a naturally occurring bacterium, Wolbachia, that when introduced into the mosquito acts "like a vaccine" and reduces its ability to pass the virus to humans.
"This award acknowledges a considerable body of work initiated over 20 years ago that is currently coming to fruition, thanks to the dedication and persistence of a large number of talented individuals working effectively as a great team," Professor O'Neill said about the award.
In field trials in northern Australia, the research team has shown that Wolbachia can quickly spread through the wild mosquito population and be maintained. Two years after Wolbachia mosquitoes were released in the first field trial in two suburbs near Cairns, close to 100 per cent of mosquitoes in the area still carry Wolbachia, which the researchers believe will mean a significantly reduced risk of dengue transmission.
The first field trials of the Wolbachia dengue control method in Brazil are expected to take place next year. Dr Moreira from the Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou at Fiocruz leads the multidisciplinary Brazilian team of entomologists, field researchers and community engagement professionals. Field trials will only proceed with government and community support.
Globally, dengue fever infects 50 to 100 million people each year, according to World Health Organization estimates. The research has particular relevance for Brazil, which is one of the most affected countries in the world with more than 1.2 million cases of dengue reported in 2010.
"It is exciting to be working with Fiocruz and we hope this collaborating research effort will have a real impact on reducing dengue transmission not only in Brazil but in over 100 countries where dengue occurs," Professor O'Neill said.
For further information, contact Monash Media and Communications on +61-3-9903-4840 or media@monash.edu.
