Kolkata, Nov. 15 -- A technique that sterilizes male mosquitoes using radiation will
soon be tested as part of global health efforts to control diseases such as chikungunya,
dengue, and Zika.
The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a form of insect birth control. The process involves
rearing large quantities of sterilized male mosquitoes in dedicated facilities, and then
releasing them to mate with females in the wild. As they do not produce any offspring, the
insect population declines over time.
The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and WHO have developed a gu...