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Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1.
The Wolbachia method is a biological control strategy used to curb the transmission of viral diseases such as Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever. Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in nearly 60% of insect species, but notably absent in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for these viruses.
When Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are introduced with Wolbachia in a laboratory and released into the wild, the bacterium competes with viruses inside the mosquito's body, making it difficult for the viruses to replicate. Consequently, the mosquitoes are less likely to transmit these diseases to humans. Furthermore, through a process called cytoplasmic incompatibility, when Wolbachia-carrying males mate with wild females, the eggs do not hatch, effectively reducing the mosquito population over time.
Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect as they refer to waste management and bio-manufacturing processes unrelated to vector control.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Term in News' question targeting a specific solution to a major public health crisis (Dengue). While standard books cover Dengue vectors, the specific 'Wolbachia' intervention is pure Current Affairs (widely covered in The Hindu/IE during 2021-2022). If you track S&T 'solutions' rather than just 'theories', this was a giveaway.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Do you understand that this method replaces the population of *Aedes aegypti* mosquitoes with *Aedes aegypti* mosquitoes carrying *Wolbachia*, which have a reduced capacity to transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya?"
Why this source?
- Explicitly describes the Wolbachia method as replacing Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti.
- States these Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes "have a reduced capacity to transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya," directly linking the method to control of those viral diseases.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The efficacy of the Wolbachia Aedes aegypti population replacement method was evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial within Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. The aim of the study was to determine whether and to what extent Wolbachia replacement method was effective in reducing the incidence of symptomatic dengue"
Why this source?
- Describes the Wolbachia Aedes aegypti population replacement method and the goal of reaching coverage threshold.
- Reports that the method's efficacy was evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial to determine whether it was effective in reducing the incidence of symptomatic dengue, showing use for controlling dengue.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"In areas where *Wolbachia* is self-sustaining at a high level, dengue transmission has been significantly reduced."
Why this source?
- From an implementing organization: reports projects in multiple countries using the Wolbachia method.
- States that in areas where Wolbachia is self-sustaining, "dengue transmission has been significantly reduced," supporting real-world use to control dengue.
- Explicitly describes the Wolbachia method as replacing Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti.
- States these Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes "have a reduced capacity to transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya," directly linking the method to control of those viral diseases.
- Describes the Wolbachia Aedes aegypti population replacement method and the goal of reaching coverage threshold.
- Reports that the method's efficacy was evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial to determine whether it was effective in reducing the incidence of symptomatic dengue, showing use for controlling dengue.
- From an implementing organization: reports projects in multiple countries using the Wolbachia method.
- States that in areas where Wolbachia is self-sustaining, "dengue transmission has been significantly reduced," supporting real-world use to control dengue.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Dengue and Chikungunya > p. 79
Strength: 5/5
âDengue is a type of fever which is also called as 'Break-bone Fever' or 'Dandy Fever'. Diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya are seasonal and show fuctuating trends in various seasons in diferent years. Te dengue virus is carried by the yellow-fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Te Asiatic tiger mosquito is another prominent carrier of the virus. Tere have been recent breakouts of dengue and chickengunya. In brief, dengue is characterised by fever and extreme pain in and stifness of joints (hence the name 'break-bone fever'. A mosquito becomes infected only if it bites an infected individual (humans and monkeys) during the frst three days of the victims illness.â
Why relevant
States that dengue is caused by a virus and is carried by Aedes aegypti (a mosquito species).
How to extend
A student could extend this by checking whether interventions target Aedes mosquitoes specifically and whether biological approaches (e.g., infecting mosquitoes with microbes) are used to reduce virus carriage.
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Activity 3.4: Let us find out > p. 35
Strength: 4/5
â⢠Col1: Malaria; Col2: Protozoa; Col3: Skin, blood; Diseases transmitted by insects: High fever, profuse sweating, periodic chills; Col5: Use of mosquito nets and repellents, wearing longâsleeved clothes, control of mosquito breeding in and around your home ⢠Col1: Dengue fever (Break bone fever); Col2: Virus; Col3: Skin, blood; Diseases transmitted by insects: Fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea; Col5: Use of mosquito nets and repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothes, control of mosquito breeding in and around your home, avoiding areas with still water By studying the Table 3.1, we can understand how infectious diseases spread and how to prevent them.â
Why relevant
Lists dengue as a viral disease and emphasizes prevention measures including control of mosquito breeding.
How to extend
Use the link between dengue being mosquitoâborne and breeding control to investigate nonâchemical control methods (such as releasing modified or microbeâinfected mosquitoes).
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Dengue and Chikungunya > p. 80
Strength: 4/5
âTere is no vaccine currently available. Chloroquine is gaining ground as possible treatment for the symptoms associated with dengue/Chikungunya, and as an anti-infammatory agent to combat the arthritis associated with Chikungunya virus. For the prevention, and control of vector-borne diseases including malaria, dengue and chikungunya, the Government of India is implementing an integrated National Vectorborne Disease Control Programme under the over-arching umbrella of National Rural Health Mission. Te main strategy for prevention and control of vectorborne diseases advocates for integral vector control, early ease detection and complete treatment.â
Why relevant
Describes national vectorborne disease control programmes and states the main prevention strategy is integrated vector control.
How to extend
A student could look within 'integrated vector control' for biological control components (e.g., Wolbachia releases) as part of programmatic methods.
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > 3.4.1 How are communicable diseases caused and spread? > p. 33
Strength: 3/5
âpersonal items of an infected person. Some of the communicable diseases spread through contaminated drinking water or food. Some pathogens are also spread by insects like mosquitoes and housefliesâthese insects are called vectors (Fig. 3.4).
By understanding how diseases spread, we can take simple steps to protect ourselves and others. Let us find out how these communicable diseases spread and how we can prevent them.â
Why relevant
Defines vectors as insects like mosquitoes that spread pathogens and links understanding spread to taking protective measures.
How to extend
From the general concept of vectors, one can explore vectorâtargeted strategies including genetic or microbial modifications that aim to block pathogen transmission.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Transmission > p. 25
Strength: 3/5
âEpidemic diseases are transmitted in many ways. Some of the ways of their transmission are as under:
⢠1. By direct contact, for example, droplets sprayed about when a patient coughs or sneezes⢠2. By contaminated food and water.⢠3. By arthropodsâfilth associated fliesâof various types that may serve as mechanical carriers of disease germs as in dysentery and cholera. Blood-sucking arthropods like mosquitoes are more effective transmitters.â
Why relevant
Notes that bloodâsucking arthropods such as mosquitoes are especially effective transmitters of epidemic diseases.
How to extend
This supports investigating interventions that reduce mosquito transmission efficiency (for example, methods that reduce a mosquito's ability to transmit viruses).
States that dengue is caused by a virus and is carried by Aedes aegypti (a mosquito species).
A student could extend this by checking whether interventions target Aedes mosquitoes specifically and whether biological approaches (e.g., infecting mosquitoes with microbes) are used to reduce virus carriage.
Lists dengue as a viral disease and emphasizes prevention measures including control of mosquito breeding.
Use the link between dengue being mosquitoâborne and breeding control to investigate nonâchemical control methods (such as releasing modified or microbeâinfected mosquitoes).
Describes national vectorborne disease control programmes and states the main prevention strategy is integrated vector control.
A student could look within 'integrated vector control' for biological control components (e.g., Wolbachia releases) as part of programmatic methods.
Defines vectors as insects like mosquitoes that spread pathogens and links understanding spread to taking protective measures.
From the general concept of vectors, one can explore vectorâtargeted strategies including genetic or microbial modifications that aim to block pathogen transmission.
Notes that bloodâsucking arthropods such as mosquitoes are especially effective transmitters of epidemic diseases.
This supports investigating interventions that reduce mosquito transmission efficiency (for example, methods that reduce a mosquito's ability to transmit viruses).
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