WORLD MOSQUITO PROGRAM
World Mosquito Program innovating from Vietnam
A global not-for-profit programme is changing the way we eradicate mosquito-borne diseases, with important implications for local populations, businesses and globally mobile assignees travelling to South East Asia, Latin America and the Oceania region. Their compelling relocation story also provides lessons for companies opening up in Vietnam, reports Fiona Murchie returning from a trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
T
he World Mosquito Program (WMP) has chosen Ho Chi Minh City as the base for its Asian hub. A growing team
from all over the world are working to support the expansion of the reach of the life-saving work of WMP. The team has partnered with local authorities to start two new Wolbachia release projects nearby. WMP seeks to help protect the global
community from mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Vietnam is the perfect location for one of three regional hubs, as it scales WMP’s work from currently impacting 4.4 million people in 12 countries to reaching 100 million by 2023. WMP has worked in Vietnam previously and now has two new project sites to cover a population of 250,000 people. The programme plans, in the future, to grow its deployments
across
the city and the region where people face a daily threat from these deadly diseases.
World Mosquito Program, Indonesia
THE WOLBACHIA METHOD There is growing evidence from WMP field trials that the innovative Wolbachia method is effective in reducing incidents of these diseases. The WMP’s method works by introducingWolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit the Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses. TheseWolbachia-carrying mosquitoes are released in areas where mosquito-borne viruses are endemic. Once Wolbachia-carrying
mosquitoes are released, they breed with wild mosquitoes. Over time, the percentage of mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia grows until it remains high without the need for further releases. The WMP’s self-sustaining method offers a safe, effective and long-term solution to reducing the burden of these diseases. “We are very inspired being in
16,284 Volunteers
Indonesia figures
THE IMPACT OF MOSQUITO- BORNE DISEASES ON GLOBAL MOBILITY Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever, can have devastating effects on the health and wellbeing of people living in an affected country. In addition, outbreaks can deter holidaymakers, which has a knock-on effect on local tourism. Businesses that are looking to relocate may reconsider for fear of employee health, while globally mobile employees who are thinking about taking on an assignment with their family to an affected country might also be deterred. For the
business
community expanding into Vietnam – a rising relocation destination – it is important to understand how mosquito-borne
Vietnam surrounded by the dynamic and ever-changing business and community environment. It is encouraging to get such a positive response from people interested in supporting our work. We will only be able to bring this solution to the billions of people affected with solid partnerships with business, government and philanthropists,” says Enrica Longo, director external engagement at WMP in Vietnam.
disease impacts the local population and workforce, the economy and their growth in the country. The human story behind how WMP relocated to Ho Chi Minh City is even more powerful in this context. Having met Australian, Ms Longo and
Stéphanie Ralu – founder of Relocation Vietnam, WPM’s chosen relocation company – while visiting the city for the recent EuRA Asia conference and the International School of Ho Chi Minh City, which welcomed the relocating children, I am convinced that there are lessons to be learned from their experience of setting up in Vietnam, as well as connections to be made to help WMP. Ms Longo is keen to encourage support levels. Through our readership
at all
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