Large-scale releases of mosquitoes with Wolbachia pipientis-wAIbB strain to reduce Aedes aegypti in Ponce, PR

The Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU) promotes an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) approach to reduce Aedes aegypti population in Puerto Rico. As part of our efforts, we started a large-scale trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Wolbachia-carrying males as a control measure for Ae. Aegypti in Ponce, one of Puerto Rico’s largest cities.  After an aggressive community outreach effort lasting over 2 years, we obtained 84% acceptance by the community as well as the support of local and territorial officials to proceed with the project.  In 2020, Verily Life Sciences, Inc. started the production and shipments of approximately two million mosquitoes per week from San Francisco, CA for release in selected areas of Ponce PR. An extensive trapping program was implemented involving weekly monitoring of more than 700 traps, including Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO), BG Sentinel and Ovicups (Barrera et al. 2020). The project has required extensive planning and logistic coordination to receive, transport and release mosquitoes effectively. In addition, a quality assurance program was also implemented to continuously monitor the longevity and viability of the mosquitoes received. After initial releases, significant modifications were incorporated to address unexpected challenges and improve project logistics.