As part of its initiative to raise awareness about groundbreaking malaria research—including the use of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM) — the Transmission Zero project, implemented by the Ifakara Health Institute, recently hosted district council street leaders at its Bagamoyo branch.

The visit, held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 provided the project research team – led by Felista Tarimo, a Research Scientist with the Transmission Zero – with the opportunity to share updates on the progress of this game-charger innovation in the fight against malaria and foster discussions on its role in malaria elimination.

Strengthening engagement, collaboration 

During the meeting, the Transmission Zero project team and district leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics, including the role of biotechnology in malaria control and the project's scientific approach, the impact of stakeholder engagement in ensuring public awareness and acceptance and Ifakara’s commitment to a malaria-free future and its contributions to community health. 

As part of the engagement, the leaders toured Ifakara Health Institute’s Bagamoyo research facilities, gaining firsthand insight into mosquito rearing, research methodologies, and the innovative work being conducted to combat malaria.

They visited the Transmission Zero lab itself and the Vector Control Product Testing Unit. The later conducts rigorous evaluations of mosquito control tools, ensuring their effectiveness in combating malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

Encouraging advocacy, public awareness 

Felista Tarimo encouraged the representatives to serve as ambassadors—spreading accurate information about Ifakara’s efforts and dispelling misconceptions surrounding malaria research and genetic technology.

More: About GMM

Malaria remains a major global health threat, especially in Africa, where millions of people are affected each year. Scientists have introduced an innovative approach to fight this deadly disease—genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM). These mosquitoes are altered in laboratories to reduce malaria transmission.

There are two main types of GMM. Some are designed to be sterile, meaning they cannot reproduce, which helps reduce mosquito populations. Others are modified to resist the malaria parasite, preventing them from spreading the disease to humans. Scientists carefully test these mosquitoes before releasing them into the wild to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Projects like Transmission Zero, led by the Ifakara Health Institute, explore how GMM can help eliminate malaria. While challenges remain, such as community acceptance and regulatory approval, genetically modified mosquitoes offer a promising tool in the fight against malaria, potentially saving millions of lives in the future.