Google has reportedly requested permission from federal regulators to release up to 32 million “specially treated” mosquitoes in California and Florida over the next two years as part of an effort to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
The proposal, which falls under Google’s “Debug” initiative, is currently under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency has accepted public comments on the project until June 5. Regulators have not yet specified where any mosquito releases would occur if approval is granted.
Researchers indicate the initiative targets Culex mosquitoes, a species known for transmitting West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus remains the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States. The viruses are already established in California, where they circulate naturally among local bird and mosquito populations, with a recent positive sample of West Nile virus confirmed in Riverside County.
The project is part of Google’s “Debug” initiative, launched more than a decade ago to develop new technologies aimed at reducing disease-carrying mosquito populations. The approach involves releasing male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacterium that prevents viable offspring when the males mate with wild females. Experts state that such releases would not increase the number of biting mosquitoes since only female mosquitoes bite humans.
Chad Huff, public information officer for the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, described the initiative as “a great concept” and noted that they are putting it to real use to evaluate its effectiveness. He emphasized that “none of these technologies are being talked about as particularly new,” adding that the mosquito control industry has long explored what is called “novel control techniques.” Huff explained that Wolbachia has been used for some time, and infected mosquitoes pose no risk to humans. When a Wolbachia-infected male mates with a female, they are unable to reproduce.
The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is already testing a similar approach. “We are currently in our second year of trying it,” Huff said. “We did it last season, and we’re doing it again this season.” Early results from the program have been encouraging.