Since 2004 there has been a rapid rise in mosquito-borne infections, especially in the United States. Mosquitoes such as the Aedes aegypti species acts as a carrier of life-threatening diseases like Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue as well as Yellow Fever.

Taking up the challenge to identify these disease-carrying mosquitoes, a scientific team from the University of Texas invented a novel diagnostic tool consisting of a 3D-printed box, smartphone camera and chemical test to assess the pathogenic mosquitoes. By analyzing the nucleic acid of mosquitoes, the tool can deliver the result to a smartphone with more than 97% accuracy.

Sanchita Bhadra, research associate of Molecular Biosciences department from the University of Texas at Austin, said “Many of these diseases are spreading in areas where they weren’t common before. Having surveillance is important in conjunction with any kind of outbreak, and this method allows a rapid test in the field.”

Wolbachia biopesticide is used by public health to control mosquito-borne infections and now with this simple user-friendly diagnostic tool, they can track the presence and efficacy of relating to their efforts in order to prevent mosquitoes from transmitting diseases.

Sanchita Bhadra further added, “This test can happen without involving a lot of staff and equipment to make sure Wolbachia is effective and spreading as anticipated.”