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Podcast - UN Catch-Up Dateline Geneva - Middle East crisis, Rohingya appeal, GM bugs to beat malaria

In this week’s UN Catch-Up podcast, we hear about the pressures facing aid workers and people on the front line in Gaza, an appeal for help for almost 900,000 Rohingya refugees, an alert that Mozambicans fleeing violence to Tanzania have been forcibly returned, and guidance from the WHO on genetically modified mosquitoes to overcome deadly malaria. As ever, there’ll be insight from regular guest, Solange Behoteguy-Cortes.

Audio
14'33"
D. Calma/IAEA

Tests of nuclear “pest control” for Zika mosquito forthcoming

A decision on when to start field trials of a nuclear technique to stop the spread of the Zika virus will be made next month.

The announcement was made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which describes the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) as a type of “pest control” that uses radiation to neuter male flies and other insects.

SIT has already been used around the world and the UN agency said field trials will help study its effectiveness on the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits the Zika virus.