**Govt Assures Mosquito Sterilisation ‘Effective’ Despite Larnaca Outbreak**
Larnaca, Cyprus – The recent surge in mosquito complaints in Larnaca, coinciding with a heatwave, has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of Cyprus’ mosquito control program. This initiative aims to reduce the population of invasive mosquito species through the release of sterilised male mosquitoes.
Herodotos Herodotou, the deputy head of health services, addressed these concerns in an interview with Sigma on Thursday. He attributed the increase in mosquito activity mainly to recent rainfall, which has created favorable breeding conditions, compounded by rising temperatures. “When temperatures reach 40 degrees, a decrease will be observed,” Herodotou stated, emphasizing that the current outbreak does not signify a failure of the sterilisation program.
The pilot program, which commenced in the Kiti area of Larnaca, employs the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). This biological control method involves sterilising male mosquitoes before they are released into the environment. The sterile males mate with wild female mosquitoes, resulting in eggs that do not hatch, thereby gradually diminishing the mosquito population.
Herodotou noted that the program has already shown positive results during its pilot phase, with Cyprus gaining expertise through collaborations with international laboratories. As part of the initial implementation, two health service officers traveled to Austria for training in mosquito breeding and sterilisation techniques. The sterile male mosquitoes used in the program are derived from local wild populations, which are then transported to specialized facilities for separation and sterilisation using ionising radiation prior to their release. Authorities have reported that approximately 100,000 sterile mosquitoes are introduced into the environment each week as part of this initiative.
One of the key advantages of the SIT method is that it only releases male mosquitoes, which do not bite humans and are incapable of transmitting diseases. This approach aims to effectively reduce mosquito populations while minimizing the reliance on chemical insecticides.
Herodotou also highlighted the ongoing support from EU experts and local authorities, who are assisting Cyprus in preparing staff for the broader implementation of the program. However, he cautioned that the mosquitoes currently present in the area can carry viruses such as dengue fever, although Cyprus has not recorded any locally transmitted cases. “We had some incidents that came from abroad, and they were dealt with immediately,” he added.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, a species considered invasive, is known for its ability to transmit various diseases. The SIT method has been successfully implemented internationally against other insect species and is increasingly being adopted as a viable mosquito control measure.
Health authorities maintain that the recent rise in mosquito numbers is primarily linked to environmental factors rather than the presence of sterile males released as part of the control program. As the program continues, officials remain optimistic about its long-term effectiveness in managing the invasive mosquito population in Cyprus.