PIHOA E-Blast: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Released on the Island of Ebeye, Marshall Islands, in the Global Fight Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases

For Immediate Release

August 19, 2024

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Released on the Island of Ebeye, Marshall Islands, in the Global Fight Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Ebeye, Marshall Islands - The Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services (RMI MOHHS) has announced a significant step forward in the fight against dengue by using Oxitec’s Friendly^TM mosquito technology to drastically reduce the local population of the invasive, disease-carrying mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

Friendly^TM mosquitoes are genetically modified (GM) male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Male mosquitoes do not bite. The non-biting Friendly™ male mosquitoes emerge from just-add-water boxes, and find local female Aedes aegypti to mate with. The female offspring of the Friendly™ Aedes aegypti do not survive. As a result, over time there are fewer Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, thereby reducing the risk for transmission of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. These mosquitoes are safe for both people and the environment.

How Did The Project Come to Be?

The invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito is the most important vector of dengue and Zika viruses in the RMI and globally. In 2019, the RMI faced one of their largest dengue outbreaks, putting significant strain on the local healthcare system. In response, the RMI MOHHS reached out to PIHOA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to seek out a longer-term solution to address and prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne disease outbreaks in the RMI.

After considerable local stakeholder and community consultation, the RMI MOHHS selected Oxitec’s Friendly^TMtechnology, and by late 2021, the Man Nam Ne (Fight the Bite) project was established, with Ebeye selected as one of the first sites to implement the project. The Ebeye-based Man Nam Ne team consists of a field team of six locally hired Marshallese who are residents of Ebeye. Since 2022, the team has received specialized training from PIHOA’s Medical Entomologists in mosquito surveillance and identification, as well as training specific to the application and evaluation of Oxitec’s Friendly^TM technology.

The Releases

Starting the week of July 22, 2024, the RMI MOHHS initiated the release of Friendly^TM male mosquitoes on Ebeye. The project's initial phase involves releases in the southern half of the island for a three-month period, with plans to expand across the entire island by the end of this year. These non-biting male GM mosquitoes are known locally as “Emman” mosquitoes, meaning they are here to do “good.” The male “Emman” mosquitoes are released from specially designed, strategically placed boxes around the island.

Community cooperation has and continues to be vital to the success of this project. RMI MOHHS officials have assured the public that these boxes are safe and to expect that they will be serviced regularly by the local Man Nam Ne team. They also emphasized the importance of not disturbing the boxes to ensure the best outcome for the project. The support of the Ebeye community is crucial in making this project a success and in ensuring a healthier, safer environment for everyone on the island.

For further details, residents are encouraged to visit the RMI MOHHS Facebook page or their official website at rmihealth.org. Additional project-specific inquiries can be directed to the RMI MOHHS via email at ebeye-mannamne@rmihealth.org.

The Man Nam Ne project is led by the RMI MOHHS, supported by CDC, PIHOA, and Oxitec.

###

About the Pacific Islands Health Officers' Association

PIHOA's mission is to improve the health and well-being of the USAPIs by providing, through consensus, a unified, credible voice on health issues of regional significance. Established in 1986, PIHOA is governed by and represents the collective interests of the USAPI health leadership from American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

PIHOA’s Secretariat, comprised of executive, administrative, and technical staff and consultants, provides support to the USAPI health agencies and leadership in the following priority areas: health workforce development; epidemiology and surveillance; health systems performance improvement; laboratory services; regional health leadership and policy advocacy; Pacific health security; and, partnership engagement and coordination. PIHOA has two offices in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and Hagåtña, Guam.

Media Contacts

Billie Hiraishi

Communications Officer

billieh@pihoa.org

Dr. Limb Hapairai

Regional Medical Entomologist

limbh@pihoa.org

Dr. Tamara Buhagiar

RMI Sterile Insect Technique Project Manager

tamarab@pihoa.org