Southeast Asia warned of insecticide-resistant dengue mosquitoes

Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases finds new genetic mutation

20230130 mosquito

Aedes aegypti mosquitos are known as a vector of the Zika virus, as well as yellow fever and dengue fever. (Photo courtesy of Shinji Kasai)

NORIAKI KOSHIKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- A team of researchers led by Shinji Kasai, director of the Department of Medical Entomology at Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases, has warned about an increasing number of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes in Southeast Asia.

The warning comes after the team found a new genetic mutation that makes Aedes aegypti mosquitoes -- also known as yellow fever or dengue mosquitoes -- more resistant to common insecticides.

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