Wolbachia are safe for humans and the environment. Independent risk analyses indicate that the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes poses negligible risk to humans and the environment. Wolbachia live inside insect cells and are passed from one generation to the next through an insect's eggs.

Can Wolbachia harm humans?

Wolbachia DOES NOT harm humans or animals

Humans and animals have always been exposed to Wolbachia. This happens when they come into contact with insects, eat insects, or eat foods such as fruit that are exposed to insects. Despite this, there are no reports of Wolbachia causing harm to humans or animals.

How does Wolbachia impact human health?

In mosquitoes, it has been shown that the presence of Wolbachia can inhibit the transmission of certain viruses, such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, West Nile, as well as the infectivity of the malaria-causing protozoan, Plasmodium and filarial nematodes.