# Brazil expands Wolbachia mosquito releases > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-wolbachia-mosquito-program > Updated: 2026-09-01T16:16:01.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 6. Brazil is expanding its use of the Wolbachia bacterium to combat dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Health regulator Anvisa has authorized the commercial production of Wolbachia-modified male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at a Flyttr factory in Campinas. This expands national capacity beyond the previous sole producer, Wolbito, allowing for the weekly production of millions of insects. These non-biting males are released to mate with wild females, resulting in offspring that die before reaching adulthood. Field operations are scaling across several municipalities. In São José do Rio Preto, weekly releases are scheduled for September-October 2026 across ten priority neighborhoods. Curitiba launched its 26-week release program in the Sítio Cercado district on 29 July 2026, noting a 94% decline in dengue cases. In Foz do Iguaçu, the method has entered its second stage, aiming for 100% municipal coverage across 28 neighborhoods; the city previously reported a 93% reduction in dengue cases in 2025. In Palmas, a project in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Fiocruz, and Wolbito do Brasil is set to begin a gradual 26-week release in the second half of October, following 86.1% community approval. Additionally, the city of Betim has commenced releasing ‘Wolbitos’ in five target neighborhoods, including Jardim Teresópolis and Santo Antônio. This initiative, a partnership between the World Mosquito Program Brasil, Fiocruz, and local government, utilizes mosquitoes produced in a Belo Horizonte biofactory. Other regions report successes with various strategies. Presidente Prudente concluded a project with a 99.89% reduction in dengue cases, while Belém reported a 70.4% reduction attributed to epidemiological surveillance and Larvicide Dissemination Stations (EDLs) developed by Fiocruz Amazônia. ## Claims - Wolbachia bacteria reduces the ability of Aedes aegypti to transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Wolbachia technique does not involve genetic modification; the bacterium occurs naturally in many insects. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Curitiba will begin releasing Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on 29 July 2026 at 11:00 in Sítio Cercado. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The released mosquitoes are intended to reduce transmission of dengue, Zika and chikungunya. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Weekly releases will continue for approximately 26 weeks. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Between 1 January and 20 July 2026 Curitiba recorded a 94 % reduction in dengue cases compared with the same period in the previous year. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Wolbachia bacteria does not genetically modify the mosquitoes and occurs naturally in many insect species. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Curitiba began releasing Wolbachia‑infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on July 29, 2026 in Sítio Cercado. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The released mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, which reduces their ability to transmit dengue, Zika and chikungunya. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Wolbachia release program will run for approximately 26 weeks with weekly releases. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Wolbachia method uses a natural bacterium and does not involve genetic modification of the mosquitoes. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The released mosquitoes are called “wolbitos”. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Betim begins releasing Wolbachia mosquitoes to combat dengue Betim, Brazil, has started releasing Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to reduce the transmission of dengue, zika, and chikungunya, a method that can decrease dengue cases by up to 89%. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/betim-begins-releasing-wolbachia-mosquitoes-to-combat-dengue ### 2026-08-24: Brazil expands Wolbachia mosquito technology to fight dengue Cities in Brazil, including Palmas and Foz do Iguaçu, are implementing the Wolbachia method to reduce the transmission of dengue, zika, and chikungunya using specialized mosquitoes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-expands-wolbachia-mosquito-technology-to-fight-dengue ### 2026-08-15: Brazil implements advanced biological methods to combat dengue Brazilian cities Belém and Foz do Iguaçu are utilizing advanced methods, including Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes and larvicide stations, to significantly reduce dengue transmission. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-implements-advanced-biological-methods-to-combat-dengue ### 2026-07-28: Curitiba launches Wolbachia mosquito releases, Brazil expands dengue control Curitiba started weekly Wolbachia mosquito releases, joining other Brazilian cities like Presidente Prudente and Parnamirim in using the method that has cut dengue cases by up to 99.9 %. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/curitiba-launches-wolbachia-mosquito-release-to-curb-dengue-zika-and-chikungunya ### 2026-07-26: São José do Rio Preto releases Wolbachia‑infected mosquitoes to fight dengue São José do Rio Preto will release Wolbachia‑infected mosquitoes in ten neighborhoods from September 2026 to curb dengue, Zika and chikungunya, following a partnership with Fiocruz and past successes in Brazil. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/so-jos-do-rio-preto-releases-wolbachiainfected-mosquitoes-to-fight-dengue ### 2026-07-22: Anvisa approves production of Wolbachia-modified mosquitoes in Brazil Anvisa has approved commercial production of Wolbachia‑modified male mosquitoes in Campinas, aiming to curb dengue, Zika and chikungunya in Brazil. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anvisa-approves-production-of-wolbachia-modified-mosquitoes-in-brazil --- Cite as: Brazil expands Wolbachia mosquito releases. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-wolbachia-mosquito-program