Mauritius Cuts Mosquitoes by 70% with New Sterile Insect Program

The government of Mauritius announced today that it is deploying sterile male mosquitoes to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like Chikungunya and Dengue. This new approach, called the Sterile Insect Technique, involves releasing sterilized mosquitoes into the wild. When these males mate with females, no offspring are produced, gradually reducing the mosquito population.

The move comes as Mauritius reports over 1,500 cases of Chikungunya in 2025. Nearby regions in France’s Indian Ocean departments also see a rise in Chikungunya cases, adding to the urgency.

On July 18, 2025, the Minister of Health stated that the Sterile Insect Technique has shown promising results during pilot tests. It is considered safer than chemical methods like larviciding and fogging, which rely on insecticides.

Currently, the number of cases remains relatively low—around 40 for Chikungunya and none for Dengue—but officials warn that the upcoming summer season could see a spike in infections.

The program has been in place for two to three years, leading to a 70% decrease in mosquitoes over a 20-hectare area in Port Louis. While there is no specific treatment for Chikungunya, two vaccines are available in some countries, including the United States.

Source: Wax Before Travel