The World Mosquito Program (WMP) is a not-for-profit initiative led by Monash University, redefining the fight against mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. By harnessing the naturally occurring Wolbachia bacteria, WMP’s innovative, sustainable solution disrupts disease transmission while empowering communities to take ownership of their public health.
For over two decades, Action on Poverty (AOP) has brought knowledge into action, combining proven expertise in international development with community-driven strategy. This collaboration has successfully expanded the transformative WMP method across Vietnam and more recently, into Timor-Leste.
The Method at Work
WMP’s Wolbachia method is an evidence-based, safe, one-time intervention for protecting communities against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. It works by introducing the naturally occurring and extremely common bacteria Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Wolbachia mosquitoes have a reduced ability to transmit viruses to people, decreasing the risk of dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever outbreaks. It does not involve genetic modification of the mosquitoes or Wolbachia.
The method provides self-sustaining, long-term protection from mosquito-borne diseases without posing any risk to natural ecosystems or human health. Several independent risk assessments have concluded that the risk of Wolbachia mosquitoes causing harm to humans or the environment over a 30-year period is ‘negligible’ – the lowest possible rating.
Co-Designing Solutions in Vietnam
AOP’s journey with the WMP began with pilot projects in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam in 2006. Emphasising collaboration and respect for local knowledge, AOP worked closely with government’s public health agencies, local authorities and community members to ensure WMP’s innovative approach and model was not only effective but embraced by the initially cautious local community.
Together, these efforts transformed a bold vision into scalable and cost-effective projects, laying the foundation for national and global expansion.
Scaling Innovation with Real-World Solutions
Building on the success at a site in Khanh Hoa province, AOP and the WMP expanded the Wolbachia method into Tien Giang and Binh Duong provinces in 2020 before extending into Timor-Leste.
This partnership focused on empowering government’s public health agencies’ ownership and fostering vibrant, resilient communities through four key strategies:
- Community Co-Design: Engaging stakeholders at all levels to build trust, inclusivity, and public acceptance of the Wolbachia method.
- Strategic Governance: Collaborating with government bodies to navigate regulatory approvals and build reliable frameworks integrated with local solutions.
- Optimised Project Management: Implementing data-driven planning, execution, and evaluation of the WMP and Wolbachia method.
- Capacity Building: Equipping local teams with the skills and resources not only to implement the Wolbachia method independentlym, but also to become more open and confident to apply other evidence-based public health initiatives safely.
Scott O’Neill, CEO of the World Mosquito Program, highlighted the significance of this partnership:
“Our relationship with AOP has been one of trust and appreciation for the ability of them to enable us to become effective in Vietnam very quickly through their relationships and their ability to help steer us with the projects we collaborate on. We look forward to continuing our partnership with AOP and expanding our collaboration.”
Evidence-Driven Sustainable Impact
In 2022, Vietnam was in the midst of one of its worst dengue outbreaks in years. Over 360,000 cases were reported resulting in 140 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Amid this explosive outbreak, WMP, AOP and local partners – Pasteur Insititute in Ho Chi Minh City – successfully completed Wobachia mosquito release across two communities in Southern Vietnam, covering 270,650 people over 24 square kilometres. This effort involved 5,915 release points and 263 households hosting mosquito traps.
In Thu Dau Mot and My Tho cities, AOP played crucial role in building capacity for local health workers, facilitating community engagement to build awarness and understanding of local people. With backing from the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), these initiatives combined curiosity, respect, and practical outcomes.
Key to unlocking community acceptance and mobilisation was the participatory nature of the method, stemming in part from how the community viewed mosquitoes, that’s according to Dr Jacqui Montgomery, WMP Senior Project Manager.
“People get a real sense of ownership of it,” she said. “I’ve always been amused by how people think of the mosquitoes in their community, where even if they are annoying, people think of them as ‘our’ mosquitoes and want to act.”
One of those inspired to act was, Mr Nguyen Van Tuan, a resident of My Tho who participated in the WMP by facilitating mosquito releases.
“After asking careful questions about this project, I decided that it is appropriate for us,” he said. “I think it benefits the community and my family, so I agreed to hang two mosquito containers at my house.”
“My community and I will be delighted if the project is successful,” he added at the time.
Whilst initial success is already evident, the program’s ultimate success will be outlined in 2027, five years after the initial release took place. If successful, the method will continue to create generations of mosquitoes free from dengue.
“Dengue fever is one of the most common communicable diseases in the southern provinces of Vietnam, and if dengue fever disappears, this is indeed good news for people all over,” said Mr Tran Si Nam, Deputy Chairman of Thu Dau Mot City People’s Committee.
From 2020 to 2024, WMP achieved measurable success in empowering communities to participate and support the establishment of the Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes in the released communities in Central and Southern Vietnam:
- 99% acceptance of the Wolbachia method.
- 158 health workers trained to champion ongoing program success.
- 12.2 million community impressions generated through vibrant and dynamic awareness campaigns, led by health workers and local influencers.
Regular monitoring, such as mosquito sample collection in January and July 2024, affirmed the positive responses of mosquitoes in the sites further indicating the program’s long-term scalability and effectiveness.
Beyond Vietnam: Expanding Impact in Timor-Leste
Lessons learned in Vietnam are now shaping new initiatives in Timor-Leste, where AOP plays the role of project management and technical support on gender equality and social inclusion to ensure this innovative partnership continues to deliver transformative health solutions across the region.
With a high level of community acceptance and government approval, the release is expected to be held in July 2025.
Empowering Ideas, Creating Thriving Futures
The partnership between AOP and WMP exemplifies how evidence-driven philanthropy and community-centered, combined with practical, solutions-oriented approaches, can transform communities and drive global health innovations. By tackling the root causes of mosquito-borne diseases, this partnership empowers communities to take control of their well-being and build healthier futures.
This model a testament to the power of innovation and partnership in creating a healthier, more harmonious future for all.