Hi, this is Michelle, and as Gesda wraps up today its science and diplomacy summit in Geneva, we look at one of the futuristic health solutions debated at the conference that has shown promising results and has even piqued the interest of the World Health Organization (WHO).

We also hear from a UN report why early warning systems are key to preventing deaths from hurricanes and other extreme weather event, yet half of countries worldwide don’t have them.

14.10.2022

Infecting mosquitoes to curb dengue

A panel on vector-control technology at Gesda's 2022 summit. (Credit: Health Policy Watch/Megha Kaveri)

A nature-based solution that could help reduce the rising global burden of disease from dengue fever is looming on the research horizon. But more studies are needed before the World Health Organization (WHO) could recommend a broad scale-up of the approach, WHO’s chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Wednesday. She summed up her conclusions on the research to date into Wolbachia bacteria as a dengue control tool at a panel event hosted by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation 2022 Summit, taking place this week from Wednesday to Friday.

The experimental technology involves the injection of Wolbachia bacteria into female Aedes mosquitoes. Within the mosquito, the bacteria competes with dengue virus, Zika and other dangerous mosquito-borne diseases, curbing the mosquito’s potential to transmit those viruses to human beings.

Read the full story on Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here’s what else is happening

🚨UN: early warning of impending disasters saves lives.
Voices of America (EN)
🎓University of Geneva to get a new Maths and Physics building.
Le Dauphiné Libéré (FR)
💥Nuclear weapons are a humanitarian issue – opinion.
The New Humanitarian (EN)
💪‘Russia is becoming weaker, and China stronger’.
Swissinfo (EN)
🌱Fertilizer diplomacy: how ammonia could hobble Black Sea grain deal.
Devex (EN)

GS news is a new media project covering the world of international cooperation and development. Don’t hesitate to forward our newsletter!

Have a good day!

Avenue du Bouchet 2
1209 Genève
Suisse