Interesting article in STAT discusses an innovative way of tackling the Zika crisis.  Two street side advertising panels in Rio De Janeiro are being used trap and kill the mosquitoes that are the primary driver of the disease. The billboards-cum-death traps rely on some clever science. They emit carbon dioxide and lactic acid to mimic human breath and odor. This attracts mosquitoes to fly through a one-way opening that’s just a few feet off the ground — perfect for an insect that’s known for its poor aviation skills and tendency to stay low.

Insiders take: Of course with only two locations, this approach does not make much of a dent in the mosquito population but shows one of many unique ideas being developed to deal with what is potentially turning into a major problem.

Paid Advertisement