![Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2014/dengueblocki.jpg "A technician shows mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. The scientists at the Rio de Janeiro-based Fiocruz research institute are taking part in a global project to release the mosquitoes. Some scientists estimate that around 390 million people get dengue each year. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)")
A technician shows mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. The scientists at the Rio de Janeiro-based Fiocruz research institute are taking part in a global project to release the mosquitoes. Some scientists estimate that around 390 million people get dengue each year. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Brazilian researchers have freed a batch of mosquitoes infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria they hope can combat the tropical disease naturally.
Scientists at the Rio de Janeiro-based Fiocruz research institute are taking part in a global project to release the mosquitoes. Similar action has already taken place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
The mosquitoes released Wednesday are infected with the Wolbachia bacteria that can block them from getting the highly infectious disease dengue and passing it to humans.
It's hoped the bacteria will be passed through generations of mosquitoes and eventually wipe out the insects' ability to spread dengue.
Some scientists estimate that around 390 million people get dengue each year.
Dengue causes extreme joint pain and headaches, though it usually isn't fatal. There is no cure.
-
![Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2014/1-dengueblocki.jpg "Technicians carry a box of mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. Brazilian researchers freed the batch of mosquitoes in hopes of combating the tropical disease naturally. Dengue, for which there is no cure, causes extreme joint pain and headaches, though most often isn't fatal. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)")
Technicians carry a box of mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. Brazilian researchers freed the batch of mosquitoes in hopes of combating the tropical disease naturally. Dengue, for which there is no cure, causes extreme joint pain and headaches, though most often isn't fatal. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
-
![Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2014/2-dengueblocki.jpg "A technician releases mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. It's hoped the bacteria will be passed through generations of mosquitoes and eventually wipe out the insects' ability to spread dengue. Similar action has already taken place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)")
A technician releases mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. It's hoped the bacteria will be passed through generations of mosquitoes and eventually wipe out the insects' ability to spread dengue. Similar action has already taken place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
![Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2014/1-dengueblocki.jpg "Technicians carry a box of mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. Brazilian researchers freed the batch of mosquitoes in hopes of combating the tropical disease naturally. Dengue, for which there is no cure, causes extreme joint pain and headaches, though most often isn't fatal. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)")
![Dengue-blocking mosquito released in Brazil](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2014/2-dengueblocki.jpg "A technician releases mosquitoes that are infected with a dengue-blocking bacteria called "Wolbachia" in the Tubiacanga neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. It's hoped the bacteria will be passed through generations of mosquitoes and eventually wipe out the insects' ability to spread dengue. Similar action has already taken place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)")
© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
