In 2024, the World Mosquito Program began work in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, to address the significant threat of mosquito-borne diseases in the region.
Dengue is an increasing public health concern in Timor-Leste, with several major epidemics in the last decade. 2022 saw a significant surge with 5,658 reported cases and 58 fatalities due to dengue. The most recent data shows 364 cases and 2 deaths nationwide in early 2025 (January - 11 March), with 217 cases and 1 death in Dili Municipality alone.
Dengue typically peaks during the first quarter of the year in Timor-Leste. Our Wolbachia method will work alongside existing dengue prevention control measures to provide long-term protection for the community.
(Date updated March 2025)
Partnership for Protection
The World Mosquito Program, Ministry of Health Timor-Leste, Action on Poverty (AoP), and Menzies School of Health Research have joined forces to address the danger of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases in Timor-Leste.
This project will see Wolbachia mosquitoes – a safe, natural and effective method for preventing mosquito-borne diseases – released in Dili's dengue hotspots. The releases are scheduled to begin in July 2025, covering an area of approximately 20 km², protecting around 240,000 people in the Dili municipality.
Community involvement is crucial to the success of our mosquito releases. Through our collaborative and innovative approach, we are helping to protect local communities from these diseases while building local capacity.
A sustainable, long-term solution
Our Wolbachia method is not an emergency measure but a long-term, self-sustaining solution to significantly reduce the risk of future outbreaks in high-risk areas. The method is compatible with other prevention strategies such as insecticides and vaccines.
Following decades of laboratory research and field trials with promising results, we have received widespread support from communities, governments and regulators around the world.
In our other project sites, long-term monitoring shows that Wolbachia is self-sustaining at high levels up to ten years after release. In areas where high levels of Wolbachia are present, we have seen dramatic reductions in dengue cases. Our results from the Aburrá Valley in Colombia and from our first fully protected Brazilian city, Niterói, show the lowest number of dengue cases in more than 20 years.
Project Sites
The World Mosquito Program will be working in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, to address the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
Timeline:
- Preparation Phase: December 2024 - June 2025
- Mosquito Release Phase: July 2025 - November 2025
- Monitoring Phase: December 2025 - February 2026
Partners and Supporters
