Launch of the sterile insect strategy

As announced in the 2025-2026 Budget, the Government is implementing an innovative strategy to combat mosquito-borne diseases by adopting the Sterile Insect Technique. This method involves releasing sterilized male mosquitoes into the wild to mate with females, thereby reducing the mosquito population and limiting the spread of diseases such as Chikungunya and Dengue.

As part of this initiative, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Anil Bachoo, accompanied by several health experts and stakeholders, conducted a site visit on July 18th for the relocation of the Vector Biology and Control Division from Curepipe to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital (SSRN) in Pamplemousses. The former Doctors' Quarters at SSRN Hospital will be renovated to house this division, with the objective of increasing the production of sterile male mosquitoes.

The Minister highlighted that the Sterile Insect Technique has proven effective during a pilot phase and is safer than traditional methods such as larviciding and chemical pesticide spraying. He noted that although current cases of mosquito-borne diseases are low, it is important to prepare for the high-risk summer season.

On her part, the Head of the Vector Biology and Control Division, Dr. Diana Iyaloo, explained that the pilot project, conducted over two to three years, had resulted in a 70% reduction in the mosquito population over a 20-hectare area in Port Louis. She added that this strategy will now be rolled out nationwide to reduce mosquito populations and dependence on harmful insecticides.