Israeli bio-tech company sets it's sights on the Zika-carrying mosquito
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By now, anyone who has remotely been paying attention to the news over the past year or so is, sadly, painfully aware of the Zika virus. Spread by mosquito bites, the Zika virus is a particularly insidious disease. While someone infected with Zika may only experience light symptoms, a small rash, red eyes, maybe some joint pain (in fact, many infected never even realize they've contracted it), the virus can be devastating to a developing fetus.
Zika, whether contracted by a pregnant woman being bitten by a carrying insect, or through relations with a man infected with the virus, causes severe birth defects in fetal infants. Head deformations, developmental issues, damage to sight and hearing. It's just tragic. Worst of all, there is currently no known treatment or medicine for the virus. Efforts to control the spread of Zika have revolved around minimizing exposure with insect repellant and mosquito netting in high-risk areas. Hardly long-term solutions.
Thankfully, Israeli bio-tech company, Biofeed, is working on a more effective solution. While still not developing a vaccine or treatment for the disease itself, Biofeed has developed a new way of targeting the disease's most virulent vector itself, the mosquito.
Biofeed's slow fluid release (SFR) technology is a new kind of pest control designed to specifically attract and neutralize the Zika carrying mosquito. Rather than the harsh chemical sprays we associate with agricultural pest control, SFR is more subtle. The fluid mimics attractive odors (such as fruit or mating partner scents) to lure the mosquito to feed on the poisoned substance and take it back to spread among the rest when they return home.
The idea is to wipe out huge swaths of the mosquito population without the need for heavy chemical spraying. Biofeed's solution is not only more targeted and effective at eliminating a specific species of insect, it is also less environmentally harmful and safe for humans.
This ease of use was specifically designed to make SFR technology particularly suited to dealing with pests in developing nations. With no need for safety equipment, expensive sprays, or other industrial equipment, the SFR system is an on-going, no maintenance solution that is inexpensive, safe, and effective. Getting the system into areas with a high risk of Zika transmission could be key in slowing or halting the spread of this awful disease.
It's just another example of Israeli innovation benefiting the world.
