Mosquitoes are responsible for up to 1 million human deaths each year, with numbers expected to rise due to climate change. To address this, Google is seeking US approval to release up to 64 million sterile male mosquitoes over two years in California and Florida.
These male mosquitoes are infected with Wolbachia bacteria, making them unable to produce offspring with wild females. Since only female mosquitoes bite and transmit diseases like dengue, malaria, and yellow fever, targeting males reduces the population without harming ecosystems.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for most dengue, Zika, and yellow fever cases, is the primary target. Releasing sterile males has been successful in Cyprus, Cuba, and China using irradiation and bacterial methods.
Europe faces increasing mosquito-borne disease risks, with Aedes albopictus now established in 16 countries. The ECDC cites rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns as key factors.