Fijians are expected to see a decrease in Mosquitoe borne diseases like Dengue fever, Chikungunya and Zika following the release of Wolbachia mosquitoes in Tamavua Village, Suva today.

Minister for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar, says Fiji has witnessed an outbreak of dengue cases over the years and many people had lost their loved ones due to this.

“Today marks a landmark event for Fiji and Fijians as we commence use of a safe, innovative, unconventional but an additional tool to fight mosquito borne diseases and these are Wolbachia carrying mosquito.”

She says 3,437 cases of dengue fever has been recorded in the first five months of this year and the ministry is hopeful the numbers will go down with this new initiative in place.