Inside a lab dedicated to biological sciences at the University of Manitoba, Professor Steve Whyard is seen reaching into a screened enclosure. He is caring for a group of lab-bred yellow fever mosquitoes.
Whyard mentioned, “Those small black dots are the eggs. There are likely a few hundred of them there.” Similar to numerous other researchers globally, Whyard and his team are conducting research on methods to manage the mosquito population to help curb the spread of diseases, without resorting to pesticides.
As summer temperatures rise, Canada anticipates the peak mosquito season, coinciding with numerous international visitors and fans gathering for the FIFA World Cup. Consequently, public health agencies in the U.S. and Mexico are expanding mosquito surveillance in host cities to prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses. Contrastingly, Canada is maintaining its current seasonal tracking approach without major alterations.
In Whyard’s lab, the mosquitoes are being fed a distinct diet of pellets containing “RNA cocktails,” designed to render the blood-sucking insects sterile. “We can suppress the genes linked to sperm production in males to induce sterility, and we can also diminish genes involved in female development to prevent female larvae from maturing into adults,” he explained.
The strategy involves releasing sterilized male mosquitoes to compete with wild males for females, aiming to hinder larvae production without harming other insects. Since only female mosquitoes bite, impeding their development or making males sterile could effectively reduce targeted local populations. However, releasing them in substantial numbers and at intervals throughout the season is crucial for population control.
In Canada, infection rates for deadly mosquito-borne diseases are notably low. Presently, West Nile virus is the most prevalent, with Health Canada reporting 295 locally-acquired human cases and nine deaths in 2025. Cases of yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya fever are primarily travel-acquired. A 2025 report indicated several dengue and chikungunya cases and a few Zika cases annually in Canada.
Experts caution that climate change and shifting environmental conditions, including deforestation, are rapidly expanding the geographical reach and breeding patterns of mosquitoes, particularly the Asian tiger mosquito, capable of transmitting several diseases. This species has already been identified in southern Ontario.
Globally, mosquitoes are responsible for approximately 800,000 deaths yearly and account for 17% of all infectious diseases. Notably, only five percent of the roughly 3,500 mosquito species worldwide are accountable for 95% of human infections.
Efforts to combat the mosquito menace have led to various innovations worldwide. For instance, a Chinese startup has developed a portable device utilizing lasers to scan and eliminate mosquitoes without chemical use. Additionally, genetic modification, such as sterilizing insects or altering them to prevent disease transmission, is a focal point for many researchers.
Moreover, the Gates Foundation has invested significantly in eradicating mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue through advanced technologies and biological interventions. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, seeks approval to release millions of sterile mosquitoes in a bid to combat disease-carrying mosquito populations.
Despite the promising advancements, the introduction of genetically modified mosquitoes raises complex ethical and regulatory challenges, emphasizing the need for public education and engagement. In Canada, the Public Health Agency is engaging citizens in monitoring invasive mosquito species through initiatives like the Tiger Mosquito Citizen Science study.
In conclusion, while cutting-edge technologies are reshaping approaches to mosquito control, traditional methods remain prevalent in regions like Winnipeg, where proven techniques like larvicide spraying are employed due to the low disease prevalence and limited economic incentives for advanced interventions.