FKMCD – Oxitec Mosquito Project Joint Statement
FKMCD – Oxitec Mosquito Project
Joint Statement
23 November 2021
The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) and Oxitec announce the completion of another phase of the landmark FKMCD – Oxitec Mosquito Project to evaluate the use of Oxitec mosquitoes in controlling invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The Florida Keys have experienced cases of dengue fever as recently as 2020 which emphasizes the importance of controlling this public health threat.
The FKMCD–Oxitec Mosquito Project team has successfully concluded the active release stage. All project release boxes will be removed from their sites in the coming weeks and ongoing monitoring will continue, likely until February next year.
Throughout the project, only Oxitec’s non-biting male mosquitoes emerged from the boxes and dispersed as expected, mating successfully with invasive pest females. Public support in project areas, including the volunteer residents who hosted boxes, remains high. More detailed information will be shared in the coming months as data is evaluated by the project steering committee.
The project team is extremely thankful for the entire Florida Keys community and their support of this important project. To stay up to date or learn more about the project, please visit keysmosquitoproject.com.
Andrea Leal, Executive Director of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, commented:
“We are so very appreciative to our Florida Keys communities for getting involved and supporting this ground-breaking project. We have learned so much in this first season, and it has been exciting to see that male Oxitec mosquitoes were successfully finding and mating with the target females as predicted. This pilot project simply would not have been possible without the dedication and support of so many local residents and community stakeholders and we are grateful to all of them.”
Grey Frandsen, CEO of Oxitec, commented:
“On behalf of the entire Florida Keys community, we’re thrilled to share that our first mosquito releases on US soil have been successful with tremendous public support. We are also indebted to the professionalism and commitment of our local partner, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. There is no doubt that this represents a landmark achievement as the first crucial step to making our technology available in the US at a time when Aedes aegypti continues to expand its impact across the country. We aim to build on this momentum, continuing to work with world-class partners in Florida and California to deliver accessible, effective, and environmentally friendly solutions to control the increasing threat of invasive, disease-carrying mosquitoes.”
FKMCD – Oxitec Mosquito Project Information:
florida@oxitec.com; questions@keysmosquito.org
+1-888-308-1859
Press Inquiries:
Florida Keys Mosquito Control District
Chad Huff, Public Education & Information Officer
O: 305-292-7190
C: 305-481-2207
FKMCD – Oxitec Mosquito Project Information:
florida@oxitec.com; questions@keysmosquito.org
+1-888-308-1859
FKMCD-Oxitec Mosquito Project Press Office:
+1-202-792-3080