Researchers are on their way to find a bacterium, which will be able to cut off the spread of the virus producing the lethal Dengue fever. This virus spreads around by mosquito bites. The bacterium, called Wolbachia, will shorten the 30 day life span of the mosquitoes, carrying the Dengue virus, which will consequently prevent the wide-scale infection of the disease.

Wolbachia will also eliminate the ability of the mosquito to transmit the disease, by turning the mosquito from a Dengue mosquito to a normal mosquito. Scientists will start working on their field test stage, as soon as the lap tests are done.

In addition, further researches are being planned in an attempt to use this specific bacterium for mosquitoes carrying malaria and chikungunya.

What instigated the experiments is the epidemic Dengue outbreak that resulted in 931 cases of Dengue type three, spreading through North Queensland, since November 2008. The epidemic was declared in August 2008 until August, last year. The hot wet weather is believed to have facilitated the increase of the disease and of the mosquito population.

According to Dr Ritchie, this bacterium will be released by the next wet season, "Maybe January or February, but we're still trying to get final approvals", he said.