Rousseff announces $328 million for Aedes aegypti research and control

President Dilma Rousseff announced she is providing about $328 million for research and initiatives to eradicate Aedes aegypti, the vector mosquito for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. During a ceremony at Palácio do Planalto on Wednesday (Mar. 23), the government said it is making $177 million available for the National Policy on Aedes aegypti and Microcephaly by 2018.

It was also announced that the Fund for Research and Projects (FINEP) and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) will provide a further credit of $150 million to support development, production and marketing of new technologies to combat the diseases transmitted by the mosquito.

Rousseff said the government has a firm commitment to making funding available to research on ways to eliminate the mosquito. She has also explained how these funds will be allocated.

“Our goal is to advance research on Zika virus, diagnosis, vaccines, and drugs,” the president said.

The government is also working to improve its policy on people with diseases caused by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. “We are working to mitigate the presence of Aedes aegypti and the threat of infections. Also, we are expanding and improving care services for children and families affected by microcephaly,” Rousseff said.

During the ceremony, Health Minister Marcelo Castro announced that the government will be providing a $5.5 million grant for projects to combat the mosquito and its diseases. Applications will open next week and all researchers in the country will be invited to apply.

Translated by Mayra Borges