Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-AU" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" class="site"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <link rel="icon" href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/ret_img/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/favicon.svg?v=a905cf20" data-spai-egr="1" sizes="any" type="image/svg+xml" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/apple-touch-icon.png?v=0025be9a" data-spai-egr="1" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="48x48" href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/favicon-48x48.png?v=17a9d6dc" data-spai-egr="1" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/favicon-32x32.png?v=af68c5be" data-spai-egr="1" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/favicon-16x16.png?v=b5cd24fd" data-spai-egr="1" /> <link rel="mask-icon" href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/ret_img/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/safari-pinned-tab.svg?v=6575e507" data-spai-egr="1" color="#2f76bb" /> <script> var dataLayer = window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; </script> <script> dimensionsData = ({"user_id":null,"country":null}); dimensionsData.event = "user_details"; dataLayer.push(dimensionsData); </script>  <script> (function(w, d, s, l, i) { w[l] = w[l] || []; w[l].push({ 'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' }); var f = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j = d.createElement(s), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? '&l=' + l : ''; j.async = true; j.src = 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=' + i + dl; f.parentNode.insertBefore(j, f); })(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-5TDDMZV'); let dimensionsData; </script>  <script> dimensionsData = ({"post_type":"post","page_title":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","page_location":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/","post_id":250762,"post_category":"biology|health|magazine|my-cosmos","post_primary_category":"biology","revenue_type":"free","contributors":"Clare Watson","publish_date":"2023-09-10","publish_time":"22:00","post_tags":"bacteria|dengue|mosquito|virus","scroll_page_view":"false","parent_title":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","parent_location":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/"}); dimensionsData.event = "page_view"; dataLayer.push(dimensionsData); </script>  <title>Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue</title> <meta name="description" content="Dengue remains the world’s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease. With climate change and urbanisation bringing more people into contact with the Aedes"/> <meta name="robots" content="follow, index, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1, max-image-preview:large"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Dengue remains the world’s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease. With climate change and urbanisation bringing more people into contact with the Aedes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Cosmos" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/CosmosMagazine/" /> <meta property="article:tag" content="bacteria" /> <meta property="article:tag" content="dengue" /> <meta property="article:tag" content="mosquito" /> <meta property="article:tag" content="virus" /> <meta property="article:section" content="Biology" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:secure_url" content="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="800" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="533" /> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="Researcher sorts Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae." /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Dengue remains the world’s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease. With climate change and urbanisation bringing more people into contact with the Aedes" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@cosmosmagazine" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@cosmosmagazine" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="Cosmos" /> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Time to read" /> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="12 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="rank-math-schema-pro">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg"},"headline":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","description":"Dengue remains the world\u2019s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease. With climate change and urbanisation bringing more people into contact with the Aedes","keywords":"dengue","@type":"Article","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Cosmos","url":"https://cosmosmagazine.com#author"},"datePublished":"2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30","dateModified":"2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30","isAccessibleForFree":"False","copyrightYear":"2023","name":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","articleSection":"Biology, Health, Magazine, My Cosmos","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#webpage"}},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#organization","name":"Cosmos Magazine","url":"https://cosmosmagazine.com","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/CosmosMagazine/","https://twitter.com/cosmosmagazine"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#logo","url":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cosmos-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cosmos-logo.svg","caption":"Cosmos Magazine","inLanguage":"en-AU","width":"1047","height":"172"}},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#website","url":"https://cosmosmagazine.com","name":"Cosmos Magazine","publisher":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg","url":"/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg","width":"800","height":"533","caption":"Researcher sorts Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae.","inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":"1","item":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com","name":"Cosmos"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":"2","item":{"@id":"/science/biology/","name":"Biology"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":"3","item":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/","name":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue"}}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#webpage","url":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/","name":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","datePublished":"2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30","dateModified":"2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#breadcrumb"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/author/infocosmosmagazine-com/","name":"Cosmos","url":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/author/infocosmosmagazine-com/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/92bd270b6cde63d7cee5a7e942d24121?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/92bd270b6cde63d7cee5a7e942d24121?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Cosmos","inLanguage":"en-AU"},"worksFor":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#organization"}},{"@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","keywords":"dengue","datePublished":"2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30","dateModified":"2023-09-10T22:00:00+09:30","articleSection":"Biology, Health, Magazine, My Cosmos","author":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/author/infocosmosmagazine-com/","name":"Cosmos"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#organization"},"description":"Dengue remains the world\u2019s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease. With climate change and urbanisation bringing more people into contact with the Aedes","copyrightYear":"2023","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/#organization"},"name":"Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue","@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#richSnippet","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#webpage"},"image":{"@id":"/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/#webpage"}}]}</script>  <script> function paywall_impression_dataLayer() { dataLayer.push({ 'event': 'paywall_impression', 'paywall_name': '', 'page_location': 'https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/' }); } if (window.location.pathname == '/restricted-content/') { paywall_impression_dataLayer(); } </script>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5TDDMZV" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/cache/minify/5e94f.css?x75256" media="all" /> <style id='safe-svg-svg-icon-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .safe-svg-cover{text-align:center}.safe-svg-cover .safe-svg-inside{display:inline-block;max-width:100%}.safe-svg-cover svg{height:100%;max-height:100%;max-width:100%;width:100%} </style> <style id='rank-math-toc-block-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-rank-math-toc-block nav ol{counter-reset:item}.wp-block-rank-math-toc-block nav ol li{display:block}.wp-block-rank-math-toc-block nav ol li:before{content:counters(item, ".") ". ";counter-increment:item} </style> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> body{--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--brand-primary: #2f76bb;--wp--preset--color--rackley: #5B92AB;--wp--preset--color--queen-blue: #406E8E;--wp--preset--color--police-blue: #22476B;--wp--preset--color--oxford-blue: #0C2746;--wp--preset--color--light-grey: #e5e5e5;--wp--preset--color--my-cosmos-very-light: #f3f9f9;--wp--preset--color--my-cosmos-light: #00a8a8;--wp--preset--color--my-cosmos-dark: #008294;--wp--preset--color--greenlight-green: #36B34A;--wp--preset--color--greenlight-light-green: #8dc63f;--wp--preset--color--greenlight-dark-green: #0d6c28;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width: var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width: var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}body .is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}body .is-layout-flex > *{margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}body .is-layout-grid > *{margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} .wp-block-navigation a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){color: inherit;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} .wp-block-pullquote{font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <style id='woocommerce-inline-inline-css' type='text/css'> .woocommerce form .form-row .required { visibility: visible; } </style> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/cache/minify/20adf.css?x75256" media="all" /> <script src="/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?x75256&ver=3.7.0"></script><script defer src="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/cache/minify/63b1f.js?x75256"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//cosmosmagazine.com/?wordfence_syncAttackData=1732362404.9334" async></script> <noscript><style>.woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; }</style></noscript> <meta name="onesignal" content="wordpress-plugin"/> <script> window.OneSignal = window.OneSignal || []; OneSignal.push( function() { OneSignal.SERVICE_WORKER_UPDATER_PATH = 'OneSignalSDKUpdaterWorker.js'; OneSignal.SERVICE_WORKER_PATH = 'OneSignalSDKWorker.js'; OneSignal.SERVICE_WORKER_PARAM = { scope: '/wp-content/plugins/onesignal-free-web-push-notifications/sdk_files/push/onesignal/' }; OneSignal.setDefaultNotificationUrl("https://cosmosmagazine.com"); var oneSignal_options = {}; window._oneSignalInitOptions = oneSignal_options; oneSignal_options['wordpress'] = true; oneSignal_options['appId'] = '320b1551-21ef-49e1-b09c-5a188d0478da'; oneSignal_options['allowLocalhostAsSecureOrigin'] = true; oneSignal_options['welcomeNotification'] = { }; oneSignal_options['welcomeNotification']['title'] = ""; oneSignal_options['welcomeNotification']['message'] = ""; oneSignal_options['path'] = "https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/plugins/onesignal-free-web-push-notifications/sdk_files/"; oneSignal_options['safari_web_id'] = "web.onesignal.auto.4345f3b9-0648-4376-838e-008c1d802430"; oneSignal_options['promptOptions'] = { }; oneSignal_options['promptOptions']['actionMessage'] = "Get an update of science stories with push notifications. You can unsubscribe at any time."; oneSignal_options['notifyButton'] = { }; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['enable'] = true; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['position'] = 'bottom-left'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['theme'] = 'default'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['size'] = 'medium'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['displayPredicate'] = function() { return OneSignal.isPushNotificationsEnabled() .then(function(isPushEnabled) { return !isPushEnabled; }); }; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['showCredit'] = false; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['text'] = {}; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['colors'] = {}; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['colors']['circle.background'] = '#2f76bb'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['colors']['circle.foreground'] = 'white'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['colors']['pulse.color'] = '#2f76bb'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['colors']['dialog.button.background'] = '#2f76bb'; oneSignal_options['notifyButton']['colors']['dialog.button.background.active'] = '#2f76bb'; OneSignal.init(window._oneSignalInitOptions); OneSignal.showSlidedownPrompt(); }); function documentInitOneSignal() { var oneSignal_elements = document.getElementsByClassName("OneSignal-prompt"); var oneSignalLinkClickHandler = function(event) { OneSignal.push(['registerForPushNotifications']); event.preventDefault(); }; for(var i = 0; i < oneSignal_elements.length; i++) oneSignal_elements[i].addEventListener('click', oneSignalLinkClickHandler, false); } if (document.readyState === 'complete') { documentInitOneSignal(); } else { window.addEventListener("load", function(event){ documentInitOneSignal(); }); } </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="spai_js" data-cfasync="false"> document.documentElement.className += " spai_has_js"; (function(w, d){ var b = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; var s = d.createElement("script"); var v = ("IntersectionObserver" in w) ? "" : "-compat"; s.async = true; // This includes the script as async. s.src = "https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/assets/js/bundles/spai-lib-bg" + v + ".1.1.min.js?v=3.8.0"; w.spaiDomain = "cdn.shortpixel.ai"; w.spaiData = { version: "3.8.0", key: "spai", quality: "lossy", convert: "auto", lqip: false, rootMargin: "500px", crop: true, sizeBreakpoints: {"on":false,"base":50,"rate":10}, backgroundsMaxWidth: 1920, resizeStyleBackgrounds: true, nativeLazyLoad: false, safeLazyBackgrounds: true, asyncInitialParsing: true, debug: false, doSelectors: [{"selectors":"img","type":"attr","targetAttr":"src","attrType":"url","lazy":true,"resize":true},{"selectors":"[data-spai-bg-on]","type":"attr","targetAttr":"style","attrType":"style"},{"selectors":"style","type":"inner","attrType":"style"}], exclusions: {"selectors":{".cta-and-payment-methods img":{"lazy":1,"cdn":1,"resize":0,"lqip":0,"crop":-1},"img.zoomImg":{"lazy":1,"cdn":1,"resize":0,"lqip":0,"crop":-1}},"urls":[]}, sizeFromImageSuffix: true }; b.appendChild(s); }(window, document)); </script> <style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css"> /*.home-banner { background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxIDEiIHdpZHRoPSIxIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZjb3Ntb3NtYWdhemluZS5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwOSUyRkZvc3NpbF9OaWxwZW5hLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxIiBkYXRhLWg9IjEiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg=="); }*/ .cross-sells { display:none; } .woocommerce .cart-collaterals .cart_totals, .woocommerce-page .cart-collaterals .cart_totals { float: left; } section.article-container.cart-page .woocommerce .wc-proceed-to-checkout { text-align: left; } section.article-container.cart-page .woocommerce .give_wc_donation_section_td { display: none; } p.mailchimp-newsletter { display:none; } p.add-latest-issue { display:none; } .is-provider-crowdsignal amp-iframe { display: none; } body:not(.amp-mode-touch) .hide-if-not-amp { display: none; } #place_order:hover { background: unset; } </style> <script async src="https://t.atmng.io/consent/stub.js"></script> <script async src="https://t.atmng.io/qvty/WiEbuew5P.prod.js"></script>  <script> let adUnitsServed = []; let adUnitDivParentClassArray = []; var adUnits = adUnits || []; requestThirdPartyAds = (adUnits, adUnitsPrevious) => { let adUnitsFiltered = adUnits.filter(function(adUnit) { if (!adUnit.mediaType || adUnit.mediaType === 'all') { return true; } if (isMobileDevice()) { return adUnit.mediaType !== 'desktop'; } else { return adUnit.mediaType !== 'mobile'; } }); if (JSON.stringify(adUnitsFiltered) === JSON.stringify(adUnitsServed)) { return adUnitsFiltered; } adUnitsFiltered = adUnitsFiltered.filter(function(adUnit) { return !adUnitsServed.some(function(adUnitServed) { return JSON.stringify(adUnit) === JSON.stringify(adUnitServed) }); }); if (adUnitsFiltered.length === 0) { return adUnitsFiltered; } let adUnitsToRequest = []; adUnitsToRequest = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(adUnitsFiltered)); adUnitsToRequest.forEach(function(adUnitToRequest) { delete adUnitToRequest.mediaType; }); window.adn = window.adn || {}; adn.calls = adn.calls || []; adn.calls.push(function() { adn.requestAds({ adUnits: adUnitsToRequest }); }); if (window.location.hostname !== 'cosmosmagazine.com') { console.log('Ad units requested: ', adUnitsFiltered); if (isMobileDevice()) { console.log("Mobile device detected."); } else { console.log("Desktop device detected."); } } adUnitsServed = adUnitsServed.concat(adUnitsFiltered); return adUnitsServed; }; function isMobileDevice() { let userAgent = navigator.userAgent || navigator.vendor || window.opera; let windowWidth = window.innerWidth; if (windowWidth > 1100) { return false; } if (/windows phone/i.test(userAgent)) { return true; } if (/android/i.test(userAgent)) { return true; } if (/iPad|iPhone|iPod/.test(userAgent) && !window.MSStream) { return true; } if (windowWidth < 1100) { return true; } return false; } adUnitsServed = requestThirdPartyAds(adUnits, adUnitsServed); </script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://use.typekit.net" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://chimpstatic.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://connect.facebook.net" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://vars.hotjar.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://script.hotjar.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://static.hotjar.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.adnuntius.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://t.atmng.io" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.onesignal.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.google-analytics.com" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://s3.amazonaws.com" crossorigin> <script> // console log the user's IP address for debugging purposes console.log('User IP Address: 8.222.208.146'); console.log('User has IP Access: '); console.log('User has Access (IP or subscription): '); </script> <link href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai" rel="preconnect" crossorigin><style id="spai_bg_lazr">html.spai_has_js [data-spai-bg-on]:not([data-spai-bg-prepared]){background-image: none !important;}</style></head> <body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-250762 single-format-standard wp-custom-logo theme-cosmos/resources woocommerce-no-js bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue biology health magazine my-cosmos non-member app-data index-data singular-data single-data single-post-data single-post-bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue-data"> <div id="wrapper" class="wrap container" role="document"> <header class="banner Fixed">  <div class="container"> <div class="header-upper"> <div class="header-menu-wrapper"> <ul class="cols-all-gap"> <li class="col login"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/account/">LOG IN</a> </li> <li class="col signup"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/subscribe-now" class="signup-header">SIGN UP</a> </li> <li class="col search" id="magnifying-glass__icon"> <a class="open-search-form" href="#search-form" aria-label="Article Search Icon Link"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="4" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"> <circle cx="11" cy="11" r="8"></circle> <line x1="21" y1="21" x2="16.65" y2="16.65" stroke-width="5"></line> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="col menu-cart"> <a aria-label="Cart link Icon" class="menu-cart-icon" href='https://cosmosmagazine.com/checkout/' > <svg width="100%" height="100%" viewBox="0 0 34 28" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xml:space="preserve" xmlns:serif="http://www.serif.com/" style="fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;stroke-linejoin:round;stroke-miterlimit:2;"> <g> <path d="M23.951,22.432C23.951,22.871 23.589,23.227 23.143,23.227C22.703,23.23 22.339,22.872 22.335,22.432L22.335,15.75C22.335,15.31 22.697,14.954 23.143,14.954C23.589,14.954 23.951,15.31 23.951,15.75L23.951,22.432ZM17.808,22.432C17.808,22.871 17.446,23.227 17,23.227C16.56,23.23 16.196,22.872 16.192,22.432L16.192,15.75C16.192,15.31 16.554,14.954 17,14.954C17.446,14.954 17.808,15.31 17.808,15.75L17.808,22.432ZM11.665,22.432C11.665,22.871 11.303,23.227 10.857,23.227C10.417,23.23 10.053,22.872 10.049,22.432L10.049,15.75C10.049,15.31 10.411,14.954 10.857,14.954C11.303,14.954 11.665,15.31 11.665,15.75L11.665,22.432ZM17,2.557L22.744,10.181L11.256,10.181L17,2.557ZM32.32,10.181L25.159,10.181L17.786,0.394L17.78,0.386L17.773,0.38C17.755,0.357 17.737,0.334 17.717,0.313L17.687,0.28L17.65,0.247C17.629,0.229 17.608,0.211 17.586,0.195L17.576,0.187C17.502,0.133 17.42,0.09 17.334,0.059L17.322,0.054C17.295,0.045 17.268,0.037 17.24,0.03L17.232,0.027C17.208,0.021 17.184,0.017 17.159,0.013L17.14,0.01L17.081,0.004L17.047,0L16.952,0C16.944,0 16.937,0.002 16.929,0.003C16.905,0.004 16.882,0.007 16.858,0.01L16.853,0.01C16.698,0.034 16.55,0.094 16.423,0.187L16.415,0.193C16.392,0.21 16.37,0.228 16.349,0.247C16.337,0.257 16.326,0.269 16.314,0.281C16.304,0.291 16.292,0.301 16.282,0.313C16.262,0.334 16.244,0.357 16.226,0.38L16.22,0.386L16.214,0.394L8.841,10.181L1.681,10.181C0.497,10.181 -0.315,11.354 0.118,12.438L3.773,26.045C4.149,27.211 5.244,28.005 6.47,28L27.53,28C28.767,28 29.86,27.208 30.227,26.045L33.882,12.438C34.315,11.354 33.502,10.181 32.32,10.181Z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> <div class="search-form-modal"> <div class="search-close"></div> <div class="search-container"> <div class="search-form__ui"> <div class="search-form__input-wrapper" id="searchInput"></div> <button class="search-form__button">SEARCH</button> </div> <div class="search-form__results" id="headerSearchHits"></div> <div class="search-form__view-more"> <span>View More Results</span> </div> </div> </div> <script> document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { let searchViewMore = document.querySelector('.search-form__view-more'); let seachInput = document.getElementById('searchInput'); // If algoliasearch is not defined. This is the case when the Algolia scripts are not loaded. (e.g. on single post pages for page speed optimisation). if (typeof algoliasearch === 'undefined') { // Add an input field to the search form seachInput.innerHTML = ` <div class="ais-SearchBox"><form action="" role="search" class="ais-SearchBox-form" novalidate=""> <input class="ais-SearchBox-input" type="search" placeholder="Search The Archives" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off" spellcheck="false" maxlength="512"> </form></div>`; searchViewMore.style.display = 'none'; } document.querySelectorAll('.search-form__button, .search-form__view-more').forEach( function(triggerEl) { triggerEl.addEventListener('click', function() { let searchQuery = triggerEl.parentNode.querySelector( 'input').value; document.location.href = '/search?query=' + searchQuery; }); }); document.querySelectorAll('.ais-SearchBox-input').forEach(function(inputEl) { inputEl.addEventListener('keydown', function(ev) { if (ev.key === 'Enter') { ev.preventDefault(); let searchQuery = ev.currentTarget.value; document.location.href = '/search?query=' + searchQuery; } }); }); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="primary-menu-wrapper"> <div class="hamburger hamburger--collapse" type="button" aria-label="Mobile Menu" role="button" tabindex="1" onClick="document.getElementById('primary-menu').classList.toggle('active');" on="tap:primary-menu.toggleClass(class=active)"> </div> <a class="brand" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4MzkgMTUxIiB3aWR0aD0iODM5IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MSIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRkNvc21vc19sb2dvX3doaXRlLnN2ZyIgZGF0YS13PSI4MzkiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTUxIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Cosmos" width="200" height="50"><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/ret_img/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Cosmos_logo_white.svg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Cosmos" width="200" height="50"></noscript> </a> <div class="nav-wrapper"> <nav id="primary-menu" class="nav-primary"> <div class="primary-menu__background" onClick="document.getElementById('primary-menu').classList.toggle('active');" on="tap:primary-menu.toggleClass(class=active)"> </div> <div class="mobile-menu-actions"> <div class="mobile-search-toggle" onclick="(function() { document.getElementById('primary-menu').classList.remove('active'); document.getElementById('mobile-search').classList.add('active'); document.getElementById('mobile-search-input').focus(); })()" on="tap:primary-menu.toggleClass(class=active, force=false),mobile-search.toggleClass(class=active, force=true),mobile-search-input.focus"> SEARCH</div> <div class="mobile-account-button"> <a href="/account"> LOG IN </a> </div> </div> <ul id="menu-main-menu" class="nav"><li id="menu-item-1329" class="space-border menu-item menu-space"><a href="/space/">Space</a></li> <li id="menu-item-27168" class="technology-border menu-item menu-tech"><a href="/technology/">Tech</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1321" class="nature-border menu-item menu-nature"><a href="/nature/">Nature</a></li> <li id="menu-item-33108" class="earth-border menu-item menu-earth"><a href="/earth/">Earth</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1302" class="history-border menu-item menu-history"><a href="/history/">History</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1325" class="people-border menu-item menu-people"><a href="/people/">People</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1313" class="current-post-ancestor current-post-parent health-border menu-item menu-health"><a href="/health/">Health</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1335" class="current-post-ancestor science-border menu-item menu-core-sciences"><a href="/science/">Core Sciences</a></li> <li id="menu-item-311423" class="menu-item menu-newsletters"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/newsletter/">Newsletters</a></li> <li id="menu-item-311215" class="menu-item menu-subscribe-now"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/subscribe-now/">Subscribe Now</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div class="secondary-menu-wrapper "> <nav id="secondary-menu"> <ul> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/biology/">Biology</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/chemistry/">Chemistry</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/engineering/">Engineering</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/mathematics/">Mathematics</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/physics/">Physics</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="secondary-menu-wrapper duplicate-secondary-nav"> <nav id="secondary-menu"> <ul> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/biology/">Biology</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/chemistry/">Chemistry</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/engineering/">Engineering</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/mathematics/">Mathematics</a> </li> <li class="science-border"> <a href="/science/physics/">Physics</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div id="mobile-search" class="mobile-search"> <form class="mobile-search__form" action="/search/" method="GET"> <input id="mobile-search-input" class="mobile-search__input" name="query" placeholder="Search..." aria-label="Search Input" /> <button class="mobile-search__button" aria-label="Search Button" title="Search" role="button"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28"> <path fill-rule="nonzero" d="M12 0c6.627417 0 12 5.372583 12 12 0 3.2085154-1.2592234 6.1229233-3.3104309 8.2759846.0054641.0049849.0115296.0109006.0175377.0169086l5.6568542 5.6568543c.3905243.3905243.3905243 1.0236892 0 1.4142135-.3905243.3905243-1.0236892.3905243-1.4142135 0l-5.6568543-5.6568542c-.0339069-.0339069-.0648699-.069643-.0928889-.1068905C17.1949096 23.1071552 14.7017223 24 12 24 5.372583 24 0 18.627417 0 12S5.372583 0 12 0zm0 2C6.4771525 2 2 6.4771525 2 12s4.4771525 10 10 10 10-4.4771525 10-10S17.5228475 2 12 2z"> </path> </svg> </button> </form> </div> <div class="content"> <main class="main rows-gap margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1"> <nav aria-label="breadcrumbs" class="rank-math-breadcrumb"><p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos</a><span class="separator"> » </span><a href="/science/biology/">Biology</a></p></nav> <section class="article-container cols-4 md-cols-1 cols-gap-1 padding-bottom-4"> <article class="col col-span-3 post-250762 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-biology category-health category-magazine category-my-cosmos tag-bacteria tag-dengue tag-mosquito tag-virus"> <header class="rows rows-gap"> <h1 class="entry-title row">Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue</h1> <div class="row primary-image has-featured-image " data-featured-image="GettyImages-840604518.jpg"> <img width="800" height="533" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4MDAgNTMzIiB3aWR0aD0iODAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUzMyIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwNiUyRkdldHR5SW1hZ2VzLTg0MDYwNDUxOC5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iODAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjUzMyIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" class="feature-image wp caption" alt="Researcher sorts Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae." decoding="async" loading="eager" fetchpriority="high" /><noscript data-spai="1"><img width="800" height="533" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" class="feature-image wp caption" alt="Researcher sorts Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae." decoding="async" loading="eager" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518.jpg 800w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-840604518-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></noscript> <div class="caption feature">Prototype dengue destroyers: Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae infected with Wolbachia bacteria are sorted by a researcher at the Fiocruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mosquitoes, which can’t spread dengue, zika and chikungunya fever, were released from August 2017. Credit: Apu Gomes/Getty Images.</div> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content cols-6 md-cols-1 cols-gap-1 margin-top-1"> <div class="content-left-sidebar cols-1 col"> <section class="contributors md-cols-1 rows-gap"> <div class="row post-date"> <span class="published-date">September 10, 2023</span> </div> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/clare-watson/" class="author row md-hide"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMzggNDUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzM4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQ1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjElMkYwMyUyRjIwMjAwNDE0XzEyMTc1NS1DbGFyZS1XLXNtYWxsLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIzMzgiIGRhdGEtaD0iNDUwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Clare Watson" width="200" /><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20200414_121755-Clare-W-small.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Clare Watson" width="200" /></noscript> <div class="bio"> <h3>Clare Watson</h3> <p>Clare Watson is a freelance science journalist based in Wollongong, NSW, specialising in health, medicine and the environment.</p> </div> </a> <div id="author-name" class="hide"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/clare-watson/" class="bio"> By Clare Watson </a> </div> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </section> </div> <div class="primary-content cols-1 col-span-5 col"> <div class="flexible-content "> <div class="copy"> <p class="has-weekly-dark-red-color has-text-color"><strong>Dengue remains the world’s fastest-spreading mosquito-borne disease. With climate change and urbanisation bringing more people into contact with the <em>Aedes aegypti</em> mosquitoes, the need for a solution has never been greater. Now, the team behind a novel approach to fighting dengue fever – first tested in Australia and demonstrated at scale in Indonesia – is gearing up to launch its most ambitious phase yet. Clare Watson reports.</strong></p> <p><strong>In an unassuming red-brick building on the southside of Colombia’s second-largest city</strong>, Medellín, millions of mosquitoes are bred each week to combat dengue fever. One’s natural instinct is to recoil at the metallic smell of blood wafting out of a humid room where netted cages hold thousands of mosquitoes. But these blood-sucking insects are part of a daring strategy to rid cities like Medellín of dengue fever, one suburb at a time.</p> <p>From the backs of motorbikes and out car windows, adult mosquitoes are spread across the city and neighbouring urban areas of the Aburrá Valley that is home to three million people. These <em>Aedes aegypti </em>mosquitoes have been bred to carry <em>Wolbachia</em>, a species of bacteria naturally found in up to 60% of insect species, but not usually <em>A. aegypti</em>. When it is, <em>Wolbachia</em> stops <em>A. aegypti</em> from transmitting viruses to humans.</p> <p>Only a few years ago, dengue fever was rampant in Medellín. But since the non-profit World Mosquito Program (WMP) started releasing its modified mosquitoes in 2017, dengue case numbers have plummeted to their lowest levels in 20 years. It’s the largest continuous release of <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected mosquitoes anywhere in the world, and dengue incidence is down by 94%.</p> <p>According to Cameron Simmons, an infectious disease scientist at Monash University and WMP’s director of global implementation, the challenge now is “to industrialise the supply of <em>Wolbachia</em>” to reach more cities. Now, the program’s planned expansion is moving into its most ambitious phase yet.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-weekly-dark-red-color has-text-color">Backyard beginnings</h2> <p>It’s a technique that was first trialled in Townsville almost a decade ago. An affable entomologist by the name of Scott O’Neill had been researching how the <em>Wolbachia</em> bacterium, taken from flies, shut off <em>A. aegypti</em>’s ability to transmit dengue and other viruses. Scientists still aren’t exactly sure of the mechanism, but they think <em>Wolbachia</em> piques the mosquito’s immune system, which stops the virus replicating, and also outcompetes the virus for critical resources.</p> <p>Being a bacterium, it spreads through mosquito populations of its own accord. Another early experiment to simulate a real-world release with caged mosquitoes, by O’Neill and his team at The University of Queensland, indicated how with a few weekly top-ups of freshly infected mosquitoes, <em>Wolbachia</em> could sweep through contained populations within a few generations.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p class="has-weekly-dark-red-color has-text-color">“I just thought this was another enthusiastic scientist, with a solution for dengue that was going to crash on the rocks of disappointment.”</p> </blockquote> <p>But then came the same stumbling block faced by other mosquito-control methods: how to roll out the technology citywide. To overcome this, O’Neill had to trial releasing modified mosquitoes in a community willing to give it a go. Townsville in northern Queensland might seem an unlikely choice, with the disastrous consequences of introducing cane toads still fresh in people’s minds. But the town was game; as scientists explained, <em>Wolbachia</em> is a Trojan horse of sorts, with little effect on <em>A. aegypti</em> mosquitoes other than curtailing their short lives and quashing their ability to spread viruses. </p> <div style><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/shop/subscriptions/digital/magazine/"><p align="center"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-198773" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA3MjggMTUwIiB3aWR0aD0iNzI4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwOCUyRk1pY3Jvc29mdFRlYW1zLWltYWdlLTI3LnBuZyIgZGF0YS13PSI3MjgiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTUwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Buy cosmos quarterly print magazine" width="600" height="154" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 1"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-198773" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MicrosoftTeams-image-27.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Buy cosmos quarterly print magazine" width="600" height="154" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 1"></noscript></p></a></div> <p>Over 28 months, starting in late 2014, some four million mosquitoes were released from plastic tubs and takeaway food containers in backyards across Townsville. Residents became “Wolbachia Warriors” and primary school kids joined in too. Sampling showed <em>Wolbachia</em> quickly spread to local <em>A. aegypti </em>populations as the lab-bred mosquitoes mated with wild ones.</p> <p>This is the main advantage of using <em>Wolbachia</em>: unlike repeatedly spraying insecticides to control mosquitoes, the bacterium and the mosquitoes it infects do much of the hard work. The bacterium is passed from a female mosquito to her offspring so none of them become viral vectors, and if an infected male mates with a female mosquito without <em>Wolbachia</em>, her eggs won’t hatch. Once more than about 30% of mosquitoes in an area are infected , <em>Wolbachia</em> spreads through the population in a self-sustaining way, no more releases required (though close monitoring continues).</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1440" height="413" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNjA4IDQ2MSIgd2lkdGg9IjE2MDgiIGhlaWdodD0iNDYxIiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMyUyRjA2JTJGU2NyZWVuc2hvdC0yMDIzLTA2LTA3LXA0MC5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMTYwOCIgZGF0YS1oPSI0NjEiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are released over several months to spread through the wild population." class="wp-image-250768" srcset=" " sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 2"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="1440" height="413" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40-1440x413.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are released over several months to spread through the wild population." class="wp-image-250768" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40-1440x413.jpg 1440w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40-600x172.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40-768x220.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40-1536x440.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40-300x86.jpg 300w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-07-p40.jpg 1608w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 2"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are released over several months to spread through the wild population. When infected males mate with uninfected females, a mechanism called cytoplasmic incompatibility renders their offspring infertile. Meanwhile, Wolbachia-infected females remain fertile no matter who they mate with; their offspring carry Wolbachia and pass it on, spreading it without the need for further releases. Credit: Greg Barton.</figcaption></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <p>Within months of releasing the first batches of mosquitoes in Townsville, suburbs had upwards of 80% of mosquitoes carrying <em>Wolbachia</em>. Once the whole city was covered, 66 sq. km in total, locally acquired dengue fever was effectively stamped out and imported cases were trending in the same direction. However, the study had no control areas without mosquito releases with which to compare. Still, O’Neill, now at Monash University in Melbourne, and his colleagues were optimistic they could gather more data in time from places with a far greater dengue disease burden than Australia – data that they hoped would convince others their approach really worked.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-weekly-dark-red-color has-text-color">Netting new evidence</h2> <p>Fast forward 10 years and the World Mosquito Program (WMP) has now deployed its technology in select cities in a dozen countries. In each one, initial hesitation about whether or not the approach would work in local communities has been overcome with successful pilot projects. “Success is long journey,” says Simmons – and, he adds, it often hinges on feasibility.</p> <p>The next leap is to establish a mass-breeding facility in Brazil, expected to be operational in 2024. WMP has already released mosquitoes in five Brazilian cities, but the new facility will be capable of producing up to 100 million mosquito eggs per week – enough to cloak many more of the country’s sprawling urban areas in <em>Wolbachia</em>’s protection. Up to 70 million people in Brazil could be protected from dengue in the next 10 years, the program estimates.</p> <p>Dengue fever remains the world’s fastestspreading mosquito-borne disease, and its grip on Brazil is growing particularly fast. Climate change coupled with rapid urbanisation is bringing millions more people into contact with <em>A. aegypti</em>. Cities across Asia have also recorded huge surges in dengue cases this past year. Singapore, for example, had its second-worst year on record in 2022, according to its National Environment Agency; more than 32,000 dengue cases were recorded, representing a six-fold jump on 2021.</p> <p>Simmons has seen first-hand the havoc dengue fever wreaks on hospital systems when working on ward rounds in the early 2000s in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. “When there are raging dengue outbreaks, hospitals suffer and patients line the hallways,” he recalls. He also witnessed trial after trial end in disappointment; none of the drugs or antivirals ever tested for dengue fever delivered any real benefit.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="540" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4MDAgNTQwIiB3aWR0aD0iODAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjU0MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwNiUyRkdldHR5SW1hZ2VzLTU0MzM5MjMyNi5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iODAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjU0MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="A lab technician uses an electric racquet to kill stray mosquitoes." class="wp-image-250764" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 3"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="540" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-543392326.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="A lab technician uses an electric racquet to kill stray mosquitoes." class="wp-image-250764" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-543392326.jpg 800w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-543392326-600x405.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-543392326-768x518.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-543392326-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 3"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>To produce 30 million Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes per week, you first need to raise their young, and the world’s largest mosquito “factory” is the mass-production facility at the Sun Yat-Sen University-Michigan University Joint Center of Vector Control for Tropical Disease, in Guangzhou, China. Not surprisingly, a few mozzies always get away; lab technicians use electric racquets to kill strays. Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images. </em></figcaption></figure> <p>So, when Simmons met WMP founder Scott O’Neill in 2010, whose idea it was to breed <em>A. aegypti </em>with <em>Wolbachia</em>, Simmons wasn’t optimistic. “I just thought this was another enthusiastic scientist, this time from academia, with a solution for dengue that – like most other things – was going to crash on the rocks of disappointment,” he says.</p> <p>Simmons has since changed his tune, as have other epidemiologists, upon seeing the staggering reductions in dengue case numbers in areas where <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected mosquitoes have been released. After Townsville, studies in Indonesia, Vietnam, Colombia and Brazil have reported falling dengue cases numbers wherever <em>Wolbachia</em> mosquitoes have flown.</p> <a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/OP59" class="newsletter-cta" data-device="mobile"> <img decoding="async" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMDAgMjUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRldlZWtseS1DYXRjaHVwLTMwMHgyNTAtMS5wbmciIGRhdGEtdz0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Newsletter" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 4"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Weekly-Catchup-300x250-1.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Newsletter" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 4"></noscript> </a> <p>Most notably, a randomised, controlled trial – representing the gold-standard of clinical evidence – was conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Conceiving the trial was easy, says Simmons, but designing it took several years and three more to run. A large chunk of the city was divvied up into areas with and without <em>Wolbachia</em>, so the team could directly compare dengue rates. The results, published in the <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em> in 2021, showed that releasing <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected mosquitoes reduced dengue incidence by 77% over 27 months compared to untreated neighbourhoods. Dengue-related hospitalisations also dropped by 86%.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p class="has-weekly-dark-red-color has-text-color">“We won’t go into a community unless they show support for what we do. We don’t wish to push the technology onto people.”</p> </blockquote> <p>The government of Yogyakarta province has since elected to roll out <em>Wolbachia</em>-carrying mosquitoes across the whole city and many of the urban areas surrounding it, Simmons says. “There’s now nearly two million people in Yogyakarta province living with the benefit of <em>Wolbachia</em> in their local mosquito population.”</p> <p>That’s just the beginning of WMP’s plans in the Asia-Pacific region. The program is expanding into Bali, planning to release its first batch of modified mosquitoes on the island later this year, says Simmons. Pilot projects are also underway in Laos and Sri Lanka, while New Caledonia has decided to expand its pilot after early successes. But Brazil poses the biggest test yet, the first time WMP is attempting to disperse <em>Wolbachia</em>-infected mosquitoes nationwide.</p> <p>While every country and city is different, Simmons says there are commonalities in how these societies work at the neighbourhood level. The program enlists the help of local health agents who do everything from vaccination to maternity care. Their involvement is “hugely important”, Simmons says, in helping reach affected communities, especially those wracked by conflict. Drones are also being tested to disperse adult mosquitoes. Pellets of dried eggs to be plopped in water are likewise sent out in at-home kits.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4MDAgNTMzIiB3aWR0aD0iODAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUzMyIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwNiUyRkdldHR5SW1hZ2VzLTEyNDI4MDk5NzcuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjgwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI1MzMiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="A worker uses a fogging machine to dispense insecticide." class="wp-image-250765" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 5"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1242809977.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="A worker uses a fogging machine to dispense insecticide." class="wp-image-250765" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1242809977.jpg 800w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1242809977-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1242809977-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1242809977-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 5"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Old-school efforts to control dengue’s carriers can be far from healthy for those engaged in the work. In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, a worker uses a fogging machine to dispense insecticide. While the Wolbachia-infected mosquito breeding phase is high-tech, the local release program is anything but. Credit: Chaideer Mahyuddin/Getty Images.</em></figcaption></figure> <p>But it can take months of consultation to ensure communities are on board with releasing <em>Wolbachia</em> mosquitoes in their local area. Part of the challenge is explaining to people who have been warned for decades of the grave danger mosquitoes pose that these insects are now their ally in the fight against dengue fever. Building trust is also paramount.</p> <p>“Community engagement is a very central element of what we do,” O’Neill says. “We won’t go into a community unless the community shows support for what we do. We don’t wish to push the technology onto people.”</p> <p>However, dengue-riddled communities also know how little progress has been made by spraying insecticides. “Communities are quick to accept any intervention that can diminish this problem,” says Maria Patricia Arbelaez, an epidemiologist at Colombia’s University of Antioquia tracking the program’s progress in Medellín.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-weekly-dark-red-color has-text-color">Tomorrow the world</h2> <p>Not every city has seen such a steep drop in dengue case numbers, though. According to the WMP, studies in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Vinh Luong, Vietnam, have recorded smaller though still substantial reductions in dengue incidence, of 44% and 48%, respectively. The difference, Simmons says, is patchy coverage in Brazilian favelas where security concerns disrupt the best-laid plans, or only a small umbrella of protection in a bustling Vietnamese city where people come and go.</p> <p>Dengue outbreaks also differ from place to place: every rainy season in Asia brings a spike in dengue cases, whereas the disease moves through Latin America in waves that can be half a decade apart. This can muddy epidemiological findings that become clearer over time. “You need to be very patient,” says Simmons.</p> <p>Another randomised, controlled trial led by a different US team is already underway in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. And in a matter of months, WMP is expecting to hear the outcome of more than two years of consultation with the World Health Organisation, which has been considering, based on available evidence, whether to endorse the method as a dengue control tool.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4MDAgNTMzIiB3aWR0aD0iODAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUzMyIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwNiUyRldNUC1ob21lcGFnZS0xLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSI4MDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNTMzIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Adult insects are reared in cardboard containers." class="wp-image-250767" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 6"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WMP-homepage-1.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Adult insects are reared in cardboard containers." class="wp-image-250767" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WMP-homepage-1.jpg 800w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WMP-homepage-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WMP-homepage-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/WMP-homepage-1-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" title="bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue 6"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Eggs bred in labs are shipped to their release area, where adult insects are reared in cardboard containers variously known as “mozzie boxes” or Zancu KITs. Project staff and local volunteers add water and the supplied egg and food capsules to the containers, from which adult mozzies emerge 1–2 weeks later. Credit: World Mosquito Program.</em></figcaption></figure> <p>WMP founder O’Neill says the results from Medellín and Yogyakarta demonstrate that the method can work at scale, in big cities, and protect millions of people from dengue fever. Projections also estimate that the healthcare savings from keeping people out of hospital would offset the cost of deploying <em>Wolbachia</em> mosquitoes within five to 10 years. “It’s very rare to have a cost-saving intervention,” says O’Neill.</p> <p>“Then there’s the real-world evidence,” says Simmons. “When you look at the city of Yogyakarta, their dengue case numbers are lower than they have been for 30 years and north Queensland is essentially dengue-free. So if you ask people in public health in Yogyakarta or north Queensland ‘does <em>Wolbachia</em> work?’, the answer is very clear.”</p> <p>Gathering data about the technology’s effectiveness against other diseases transmitted by <em>A. aegypti</em> might prove trickier – though that is the hope. Dengue is more predictable than Zika virus, yellow fever and chikungunya, which crop up sporadically. Trials need luck on their side to coincide with a disease outbreak or else it might seem like the technology does little to reduce disease burden. Encouragingly, a 2021 study found that chikungunya cases were halved in Niterói, Brazil, three years after releasing <em>Wolbachia</em> mosquitoes that also slashed dengue cases by 69%; however, Zika incidence only dropped by a third.</p> <p>Another potential spanner in the works is that viruses might one day become resistant to <em>Wolbachia</em>, evolving an escape route to bypass the bacterium, as it does insecticides. Simmons says this is unlikely because of the many ways <em>Wolbachia</em> outcompetes a virus like dengue: hoovering up critical resources such as cholesterol, blocking its entry into cells and suppressing it by boosting the mosquito’s immune system .</p> <p>“We’re not so naïve to think the virus will never escape,” says Simmons. WMP’s teams are monitoring for viral resistance to <em>Wolbachia</em> in mosquitoes scooped up from around Townsville, a decade after the technology was first deployed, and elsewhere. “But we hypothesise that it’s going to take a very, very long time before that happens, so our expectation is that we’re going to buy decades of protection.”  </p>  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" width='1' height='1' style="opacity:0; height:1px!important; width:1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" aria-label="Syndication Tracker" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=250762&title=Bacteria+vs+virus%3A+the+battle+to+defeat+dengue" loading="lazy">  <div class="share-syndicate-wrapper margin-top-1"> <div id="cosmos-link-back">  <p>Originally published by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" style="font-style:italic;">Cosmos</a> as <a title="Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/" id="cosmos-post-url">Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue</a></p>  </div> <div class="article-sharing"> <ul class="cols"> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fscience%2Fbiology%2Fbacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" title="Share on Facebook" onclick="window.open('https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fscience%2Fbiology%2Fbacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue%2F'); return false;" class="primary-svg-fill-hover"> <svg width="30" height="30"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="2"/> <path fill="#FFF" fill-rule="nonzero" d="M18 12.55075h-2.565572V10.5195c0-.6230625.594107-.7675625.8713992-.7675625h1.657358V7.01075L16.063679 7c-2.5916132 0-3.1831276 2.0439375-3.1831276 3.3545v2.1963125H11V15.375h1.8805514V23h2.5538766v-7.625h2.1694815L18 12.55075z"/> </g> </svg> </a> </li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fscience%2Fbiology%2Fbacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue%2F&title=Bacteria%20vs%20virus:%20the%20battle%20to%20defeat%20dengue&via=CosmosMagazine&hashtags=science" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" title="Tweet" onclick="window.open('https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fscience%2Fbiology%2Fbacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue%2F&title=Bacteria%20vs%20virus:%20the%20battle%20to%20defeat%20dengue&via=CosmosMagazine&hashtags=science'); return false;" class="primary-svg-fill-hover"> <svg width="30" height="30" viewBox="0 0 30 30" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="2" /> <path transform="matrix(0.011189,0,0,0.011189,8.28657,8)" d="M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z" fill="white" /> </g> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> <div class="post-content-section"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <aside class="col"> <div class="aside-content"> <div>  </div> <div class="newsletter-sidebar margin-top-1"> <a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/OP59" class="newsletter-cta" data-device="desktop"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMDAgMjUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRldlZWtseS1DYXRjaHVwLTMwMHgyNTAtMS5wbmciIGRhdGEtdz0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Newsletter"><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Weekly-Catchup-300x250-1.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Newsletter"></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="read-more-wrapper sidebar-wrapper margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1"> <div class="cols-1"> <h4 class="gradient-title margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1">You Might Like</h4> </div> <ul class="article-listing read-more-articles slider slide-last-20 cols-1 md-cols-1 rows-gap-1-dotted rows-list"> <li class="row read-more-articles__list"> <div class="article article-post"> <a class="thumbnail ar-16-9 md-ar-1-1" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-breed-mosquitos/" aria-label="Article link"> <span data-spai-bg-on="1" class="image" style="background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGY29zbW9zbWFnYXppbmUuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDI0JTJGMTElMkZHZXR0eUltYWdlcy0xMjA1NjUyMTIwXzEyMDAuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=);background-position: 50% 50%" data-position-x="50" data-position-y="50" data-image-width="1200" data-image-height="675"> </span> </a> <div class="article-content padding-1"> <div class="cols-8"> <a class="primary-category cols-1 col-span-7 category science-color" href="/science/biology/"> Biology </a> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </div> <a class="title" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-breed-mosquitos/" aria-label="Article link"> <h2 class=" ">Bacteria could help breed more mosquitos to control disease</h2> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="row read-more-articles__list"> <div class="article article-post"> <a class="thumbnail ar-16-9 md-ar-1-1" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/radiation-microbes-microwave/" aria-label="Article link"> <span data-spai-bg-on="1" class="image" style="background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGY29zbW9zbWFnYXppbmUuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDI0JTJGMDglMkZHZXR0eUltYWdlcy0xNjk3MTQ4ODkzXzEyMDAuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=);background-position: 50% 50%" data-position-x="50" data-position-y="50" data-image-width="1200" data-image-height="675"> </span> </a> <div class="article-content padding-1"> <div class="cols-8"> <a class="primary-category cols-1 col-span-7 category science-color" href="/science/biology/"> Biology </a> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </div> <a class="title" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/radiation-microbes-microwave/" aria-label="Article link"> <h2 class=" ">Microbe-wave: radiation-resistant microbes in microwaves</h2> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="row read-more-articles__list"> <div class="article article-post"> <a class="thumbnail ar-16-9 md-ar-1-1" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/climate-change-is-wiping-out-rare-bacteria-in-antarctic-soil/" aria-label="Article link"> <span data-spai-bg-on="1" class="image" style="background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGY29zbW9zbWFnYXppbmUuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDI0JTJGMDQlMkZ3YWxraW5nLXRvLWJyb3duaW5nLmNyb3BpbWcud2lkdGgxOTIwLmNyb3BiYXNpYy0xMjAwLTEuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=);background-position: 50% 50%" data-position-x="50" data-position-y="50" data-image-width="1200" data-image-height="675"> </span> </a> <div class="article-content padding-1"> <div class="cols-8"> <a class="primary-category cols-1 col-span-7 category earth-color" href="/science/biology/"> Biology </a> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </div> <a class="title" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/climate-change-is-wiping-out-rare-bacteria-in-antarctic-soil/" aria-label="Article link"> <h2 class=" ">Climate change is wiping out rare bacteria in Antarctic soil</h2> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="row read-more-articles__list"> <div class="article article-post"> <a class="thumbnail ar-16-9 md-ar-1-1" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/irish-bronze-age-teeth/" aria-label="Article link"> <span data-spai-bg-on="1" class="image" style="background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA1NDkgMzA5IiB3aWR0aD0iNTQ5IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjMwOSIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmNvc21vc21hZ2F6aW5lLmNvbSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyNCUyRjAzJTJGQnJvbnplX0FnZV9odXRzX2F0X0NyYWdnYXVub3dlbl8tX2dlb2dyYXBoLm9yZ18udWtfLV8zMDAwMi5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iNTQ5IiBkYXRhLWg9IjMwOSIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+);background-position: 29.69% 49.67%" data-position-x="29.69" data-position-y="49.67" data-image-width="549" data-image-height="309"> </span> </a> <div class="article-content padding-1"> <div class="cols-8"> <a class="primary-category cols-1 col-span-7 category history-color" href="/science/biology/"> Biology </a> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </div> <a class="title" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/irish-bronze-age-teeth/" aria-label="Article link"> <h2 class=" ">Irish Bronze Age teeth reveal human diet evolution</h2> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> </section> </main> </div> <dialog class="favourite__dialog" id="favouriteDialog"> <div class="favourite__dialog__body"> <p>Please login to favourite this article.</p> </div> <div class="favourite__dialog__footer"> <button class="button closeDialog">Close</button> <button class="button loginUrl">Login</button> </div> </dialog><footer class="footer"> <div class="inner-container"> <div class="footer-branding cols-1"> <a class="brand" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4MzkgMTUxIiB3aWR0aD0iODM5IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MSIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRkNvc21vc19sb2dvX3doaXRlLnN2ZyIgZGF0YS13PSI4MzkiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTUxIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Cosmos" width="300"><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/ret_img/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Cosmos_logo_white.svg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Cosmos" width="300"></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="content cols-4 md-cols-2 sm-cols-1"> <div class="item menu"> <ul id="menu-footer-menu" class="nav"><li id="menu-item-313731" class="menu-item menu-subscribe-now"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/subscribe-now/">Subscribe Now</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1345" class="menu-item menu-about-us"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/about-us/">About Us</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1346" class="menu-item menu-faq"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/faq/">FAQ</a></li> <li id="menu-item-1357" class="menu-item menu-terms-of-use"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/terms/">Terms of use</a></li> <li id="menu-item-257148" class="menu-item menu-schools"><a href="https://education.cosmosmagazine.com">Schools</a></li> <li id="menu-item-100218" class="menu-item menu-contact-us"><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contact-us/">Contact us</a></li> <li id="menu-item-239226" class="menu-item menu-privacy-policy"><a rel="privacy-policy" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/privacy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="item about"> <p class="about">'Cosmos' and 'The Science of Everything' are registered trademarks in Australia and owned by CSIRO. </p> </div> <div class="item contact"> <p>T: 1300 719623 (Australia)<br /> E: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82ebece4edc2e1edf1efedf1ace1f1ebf0edace3f7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="274e494148674448544a48540944544e5548094652">[email protected]</span></a></p> <p>Address:</p> <p>Cosmos,</p> <p>CSIRO Publishing,</p> <p>PO Box 10041,</p> <p>Adelaide SA 5001</p> <p>Australia</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="item newsletter"> <a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/OP59" class="newsletter-cta" data-device="desktop"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMDAgMjUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRldlZWtseS1DYXRjaHVwLTMwMHgyNTAtMS5wbmciIGRhdGEtdz0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Newsletter"><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Weekly-Catchup-300x250-1.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Newsletter"></noscript> </a><a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/OP59" class="newsletter-cta" data-device="mobile"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMDAgMjUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRldlZWtseS1DYXRjaHVwLTMwMHgyNTAtMS5wbmciIGRhdGEtdz0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Newsletter"><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Weekly-Catchup-300x250-1.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Newsletter"></noscript> </a> <ul class="social"> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CosmosMagazine/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" class="primary-svg-fill-hover" aria-label="Cosmos Facebook"><svg width="30" height="30"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="2"/> <path fill="#FFF" fill-rule="nonzero" d="M18 12.55075h-2.565572V10.5195c0-.6230625.594107-.7675625.8713992-.7675625h1.657358V7.01075L16.063679 7c-2.5916132 0-3.1831276 2.0439375-3.1831276 3.3545v2.1963125H11V15.375h1.8805514V23h2.5538766v-7.625h2.1694815L18 12.55075z"/> </g> </svg> </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cosmosmagazine/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" class="primary-svg-fill-hover" aria-label="Cosmos Instagram"><svg width="30" height="30"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" stroke="#FFF" stroke-width="2"/> <path fill="#FFF" d="M20.6086957 19.533913c0 .5930435-.4817392 1.0730435-1.0730435 1.0730435H10.466087c-.59304352 0-1.07478265-.48-1.07478265-1.0730435V15H11.133913c0 .0034783-.0017391.0052174-.0017391.0086957 0 2.133913 1.7356522 3.8695652 3.8678261 3.8695652 2.133913 0 3.8695652-1.7356522 3.8695652-3.8695652 0-.0034783-.0017391-.0052174-.0017391-.0086957h1.7408696v4.533913zM15 12.44c1.4191304 0 2.5704348 1.1495652 2.5704348 2.5686957 0 1.4191304-1.1513044 2.5704347-2.5704348 2.5704347-1.4191304 0-2.5686957-1.1513043-2.5686957-2.5704347C12.4313043 13.5895652 13.5808696 12.44 15 12.44zm2.573913-.0852174h2.0139131v-2.013913H17.573913v2.013913zM19.5356522 8H10.466087C9.10956522 8 8 9.10956522 8 10.4643478v9.0695652C8 20.8904348 9.10956522 22 10.466087 22h9.0695652C20.8904348 22 22 20.8904348 22 19.533913v-9.0695652C22 9.10956522 20.8904348 8 19.5356522 8z"/> </g> </svg> </a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/CosmosMagazine" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" class="primary-svg-fill-hover" aria-label="Cosmos Twitter"><svg width="30" height="30" viewBox="0 0 30 30" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" fill="none" stroke="white" stroke-width="2" /> <path transform="matrix(0.011189,0,0,0.011189,8.28657,8)" d="M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z" fill="white" /> </g> </svg> </a></li> <li><a href="https://flipboard.com/@CosmosMagazine" target="_blank" class="primary-svg-fill-hover" aria-label="Cosmos Flipboard"><svg width="30" height="30"> <g > <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" stroke="#FFF" style="fill:none;stroke-width:2px;"/> <path fill="#FFF" transform="matrix(0.0466667,0,0,0.0466667,3.33333,3.33333)" d="M400,200L300,200L300,300L200,300L200,400L100,400L100,100L400,100L400,200Z"/> </g> </svg> </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1667224" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" class="primary-svg-fill-hover" aria-label="Cosmos Buzzsprout"><svg width="30" height="30"> <g> <circle cx="15" cy="15" r="14" stroke="#FFF" style="fill:none;stroke-width:2px;"/> <path fill="#FFF" d="M17.354,12.171L18.656,12.171L18.656,13.243C18.653,14.978 17.384,16.416 15.711,16.751L15.711,21.722L14.314,21.722L14.314,16.766C12.599,16.463 11.287,15.007 11.285,13.243L11.285,12.171L12.524,12.171L12.524,11.433L17.354,11.433L17.354,12.171ZM9.497,20.189C11.167,21.86 14.058,21.679 14.058,21.679C14.058,21.679 14.238,18.79 12.567,17.119C10.896,15.448 8.006,15.628 8.006,15.628C8.006,15.628 7.826,18.518 9.497,20.189ZM20.503,20.189C18.832,21.86 15.942,21.679 15.942,21.679C15.942,21.679 15.762,18.79 17.433,17.119C19.104,15.448 21.994,15.628 21.994,15.628C21.994,15.628 22.174,18.518 20.503,20.189ZM12.524,12.854L11.97,12.854L11.97,13.243C11.972,14.614 12.97,15.779 14.314,16.07L14.314,15.349C13.283,15.085 12.524,14.182 12.524,13.109L12.524,12.854ZM17.354,12.854L17.354,13.109C17.354,14.13 16.666,14.997 15.711,15.307L15.711,16.051C17.012,15.73 17.969,14.585 17.971,13.243L17.971,12.854L17.354,12.854ZM17.355,10.319C17.355,9.039 16.273,8 14.939,8C13.606,8 12.524,9.039 12.524,10.319C12.524,11.435 12.524,10.935 12.524,11.157L17.355,11.157L17.355,10.319Z" style="fill-rule:nonzero;"/> </g> </svg> </a></li> <li><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/feed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" class="primary-svg-fill-hover" aria-label="Cosmos RSS feed"><svg width="30" height="30"> <defs/> <path fill="#FFF" fill-rule="nonzero" d="M15.0643691 0c8.2842713 0 15 6.71572875 15 15 0 8.2842712-6.7157287 15-15 15C6.7800979 30 .06436914 23.2842712.06436914 15c0-8.28427125 6.71572876-15 14.99999996-15zm0 2C7.8846674 2 2.06436914 7.82029825 2.06436914 15c0 7.1797017 5.82029826 13 12.99999996 13 7.1797018 0 13-5.8202983 13-13 0-7.17970175-5.8202982-13-13-13zM9.61448773 17.7505929c1.13224927 0 2.05011857.9178694 2.05011857 2.0501186s-.9178693 2.0501186-2.05011857 2.0501186c-1.13224923 0-2.05011859-.9178694-2.05011859-2.0501186s.91786936-2.0501186 2.05011859-2.0501186zm-2.05011859-5.4666412c5.18400766 0 9.41858876 4.1452018 9.56306776 9.2949295l.0038106.2719489h-2.7328081c0-3.6896155-2.939535-6.7050347-6.59949854-6.8290758l-.23457172-.0039695v-2.7338331zm0-4.7839517c7.80933326 0 14.18116996 6.2690823 14.34749786 14.0392347l.0033322.3115954h-2.732808c0-6.3080572-5.0522841-11.4563946-11.32319518-11.6133119l-.29482688-.0036851V7.5z"/> </svg></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script> const paywallButton = document.querySelector('.wp-block-button__link'); function paywall_click_datalayer() { dataLayer.push({ 'event': 'paywall_click', 'paywall_name': '', 'page_location': 'https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/bacteria-vs-virus-death-of-dengue/' }); } if (paywallButton) { paywallButton.addEventListener('click', function() { paywall_click_datalayer(); }); } </script> <script> let previousMobileDevice = isMobileDevice(); // Request ads on page resize window.addEventListener('resize', function() { clearTimeout(window.resizedFinished); window.resizedFinished = setTimeout(function() { if (previousMobileDevice === isMobileDevice()) { return; } adUnitsServed = []; previousMobileDevice = isMobileDevice(); adUnitsServed = requestThirdPartyAds(adUnits, adUnitsServed); }, 1000); }); /** Handle loadmore article */ const handleLoadmore = (mutationsList) => { for (let mutation of mutationsList) { if (mutation.type === 'childList') { for (let addedNode of mutation.addedNodes) { if (addedNode.nodeType === Node.ELEMENT_NODE && addedNode.matches('section.article-container')) { // Fixed the selector here clearTimeout(window.domHeightChangeFinished); window.domHeightChangeFinished = setTimeout(() => { // console.log('The specific <section> was added!'); adUnitsServed = requestThirdPartyAds(adUnits, adUnitsServed); }, 250); } } } } }; const loadmoreNode = document.getElementById('single-post-load-more-content'); if (loadmoreNode) { const observer = new MutationObserver(handleLoadmore); observer.observe(loadmoreNode, { childList: true, subtree: false // This is set false because we only want to observe direct children of the target node }); } /** END: Handle loadmore article */ // Prevents the page from jumping when the ad loads adUnitsServed.forEach(function(adUnit) { let adUnitDiv = document.getElementById(adUnit.targetId); let adUnitDivParentClass = adUnitDiv.parentNode.className; if (!adUnitDiv || adUnitDivParentClassArray.includes(adUnitDivParentClass)) { return; } adUnitDivParentClassArray.push(adUnitDivParentClass); let adUnitDivStyle = window.getComputedStyle(adUnitDiv); let adUnitDivHeight = parseInt(adUnit.auH) + parseInt(adUnitDivStyle.marginTop) + parseInt(adUnitDivStyle.marginBottom) + parseInt(adUnitDivStyle.paddingTop) + parseInt(adUnitDivStyle.paddingBottom); let style = document.createElement('style'); style.type = 'text/css'; style.innerHTML = '.' + adUnitDivParentClass.replace(/ /g, '.') + ' { min-height: ' + adUnitDivHeight + 'px; }'; document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(style); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function () { var c = document.body.className; c = c.replace(/woocommerce-no-js/, 'woocommerce-js'); document.body.className = c; })(); </script> <script type='text/javascript' id='metorik-js-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var metorik_params = {"lifetime":"6","session":"30","ajaxurl":"https:\/\/cosmosmagazine.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","cart_tracking":"1","cart_items":"0","cart_checkout_button":"1","add_cart_popup_placement":"bottom","send_cart_events":"added_to_cart removed_from_cart updated_cart_totals updated_shipping_method applied_coupon removed_coupon updated_checkout","sbjs_domain":"","send_cart_fragments":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script defer src="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/cache/minify/ddaa7.js?x75256"></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='sage/main.js-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var mainScript = {"ajaxUrl":"https:\/\/cosmosmagazine.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","ajax_nonce":"0d9860deed","is_user_logged_in":""}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script src="/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/scripts/main.js?x75256&v=2bb182da"></script><script type='text/javascript' id='loadmore-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var siteConfig = {"ajaxUrl":"https:\/\/cosmosmagazine.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","ajax_nonce":"1eb733812b"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script defer src="https://cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/cache/minify/fef85.js?x75256"></script> <script src="https://cdn.onesignal.com/sdks/OneSignalSDK.js?ver=6.3.5" async="async"></script> </div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Bacteria vs virus: the battle to defeat dengue