Due to a major trade dispute between India and the United States over the supply and sale of organic soy meal, Americans may have to pay more for organic eggs.

The US relies on the South Asian nation for more than 40% of its organic soy meal used to feed chickens.

The Organic Soybean Processors of America had previously complained to the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that organic soybean meal from India is being sold at less than fair value in the US.

The trade group had demanded antidumping and countervailing duties on Indian imports.

The US International Trade Commission is currently investigating the allegations made by Organic Soybean Processors of America.

According to Ryan Koory, director of economics for Mercaris, which tracks organic markets, the outcome of the investigation will most likely result in "significant tariffs."

This has frightened merchandisers, who are stockpiling soy meal in response, resulting in tight supplies and a price increase, according to Bloomberg.

The increase in the price of organic soy meal may increase the price of organic eggs.

According to the report, organic meat and dairy may become more expensive.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Due to a major trade dispute between India and the United States over the supply and sale of organic soy meal, Americans may have to pay more for organic eggs. The US relies on the South Asian nation for more than 40% of its organic soy meal used to feed chickens.

Due to a major trade dispute between India and the United States over the supply and sale of organic soy meal, Americans may have to pay more for organic eggs. The US relies on the South Asian nation for more than 40% of its organic soy meal used to feed chickens. The Organic Soybean Processors of America had previously complained to the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that organic soybean meal from India is being sold at less than fair value in the US. The trade group had demanded antidumping and countervailing duties on Indian imports. The US International Trade Commission is currently investigating the allegations made by Organic Soybean Processors of America. According to Ryan Koory, director of economics for Mercaris, which tracks organic markets, the outcome of the investigation will most likely result in "significant tariffs." This has frightened merchandisers, who are stockpiling soy meal in response, resulting in tight supplies and a price increase, according to Bloomberg. The increase in the price of organic soy meal may increase the price of organic eggs. According to the report, organic meat and dairy may become more expensive. (With inputs from agencies)

US citizens to pay more for organic eggs amid a trade dispute with India

People across the UK will have more choice over when to start a family with plans to increase the storage limits for eggs, sperm and embryos, the UK government announced on Monday.

Following a public consultation earlier this year, proposals will be introduced in Parliament to increase the statutory storage limits for everyone from the current 10 years, to a 10-year renewable storage period up to a maximum of 55 years.

Under the new system, prospective parents will be given the option at 10-year intervals to keep or dispose frozen eggs, sperm and embryos.

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the move marks a "huge step forwards" for giving people greater freedom over their fertility and for equality, as the same rules will apply to everyone and storage limits will not be dictated by medical need.

"The current storage arrangements can be severely restrictive for those making the important decision about when to start a family, and this new legislation will help turn off the ticking clock in the back of people's minds," said Javid.

"There are any number of reasons why someone may choose to preserve their fertility, and it is one of the most personal decisions any of us can make. Technological breakthroughs including in egg freezing ? have changed the equation in recent years and it's only right that this progress puts more power into the hands of potential parents," he said.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the changes follow evidence that shows frozen eggs can be stored indefinitely without deterioration, due to a new freezing technique called vitrification, and changes reflect the increasing success of using frozen embryos in routine IVF treatment.

The government move follows a growing trend among people in the UK starting families later in life, in pursuit of career goals and other considerations.

Raj Mathur, the Indian-origin Chair of the British Fertility Society (BFA), welcomed the changes and said it ensures that the new rules are compliant with the scientific evidence about the safety of storage, and protects the ability of all patients to make reproductive choices for themselves as individuals and couples. 
"Technological advances mean that storage of reproductive material is a safe and effective way of protecting fertility for many individuals," said Mathur.

"As professionals delivering care in this field, we are delighted that our advocacy has resulted in a change for the better for our patients, reducing unintended discrimination and protecting autonomy," he said.

It said the charity will work with the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to ensure clinics are supported to implement this change.

"We welcome the government's plans to extend the storage limit for frozen eggs, sperm and embryos, bringing the law in line with advances in science, changes in modern society and individuals' reproductive choices," said HFEA Chair Julia Chain.

"This is great news for patients, giving them more time to make important decisions about family planning. Any decision to store or preserve eggs, sperm or embryos is a serious one and anyone considering this must be given full information on the procedures involved, including the best time to freeze and likelihood of successfully using them to have a baby in future,? she said.

"It is important that the new rules are clear and that fertility clinics are given adequate time to update their procedures to ensure they can both implement the changes effectively and give patients sufficient information so that they are fully informed about their options," she added.

The DHSC has said that it would be inappropriate for the limit to apply to all cases so there will be additional conditions around third party donors and posthumous use. This process is to be consulted upon separately.

The legislation for the broader change in the law will be tabled in Parliament in the coming months.

"People across the UK are starting families later in life and it is increasingly commonplace for people to choose to freeze their eggs, sperm and embryos to preserve fertility. There are myriad reasons for this, such as not being ready or able to start a family or having a medical condition that can lead to premature infertility," said UK Minister for Innovation Lord James Bethell.

"Prospective parents should not have to wrestle with time limits on their fertility choices, and this important change to storage timescales will give people more control over their future and eliminate the pressure that comes with knowing a decision has to be made within 10 years," he added.

People across the UK will have more choice over when to start a family with plans to increase the storage limits for eggs, sperm and embryos, the UK government announced on Monday.

People across the UK will have more choice over when to start a family with plans to increase the storage limits for eggs, sperm and embryos, the UK government announced on Monday. Following a public consultation earlier this year, proposals will be introduced in Parliament to increase the statutory storage limits for everyone from the current 10 years, to a 10-year renewable storage period up to a maximum of 55 years. Under the new system, prospective parents will be given the option at 10-year intervals to keep or dispose frozen eggs, sperm and embryos. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the move marks a "huge step forwards" for giving people greater freedom over their fertility and for equality, as the same rules will apply to everyone and storage limits will not be dictated by medical need. "The current storage arrangements can be severely restrictive for those making the important decision about when to start a family, and this new legislation will help turn off the ticking clock in the back of people's minds," said Javid. "There are any number of reasons why someone may choose to preserve their fertility, and it is one of the most personal decisions any of us can make. Technological breakthroughs including in egg freezing ? have changed the equation in recent years and it's only right that this progress puts more power into the hands of potential parents," he said. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the changes follow evidence that shows frozen eggs can be stored indefinitely without deterioration, due to a new freezing technique called vitrification, and changes reflect the increasing success of using frozen embryos in routine IVF treatment. The government move follows a growing trend among people in the UK starting families later in life, in pursuit of career goals and other considerations. Raj Mathur, the Indian-origin Chair of the British Fertility Society (BFA), welcomed the changes and said it ensures that the new rules are compliant with the scientific evidence about the safety of storage, and protects the ability of all patients to make reproductive choices for themselves as individuals and couples. "Technological advances mean that storage of reproductive material is a safe and effective way of protecting fertility for many individuals," said Mathur. "As professionals delivering care in this field, we are delighted that our advocacy has resulted in a change for the better for our patients, reducing unintended discrimination and protecting autonomy," he said. It said the charity will work with the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to ensure clinics are supported to implement this change. "We welcome the government's plans to extend the storage limit for frozen eggs, sperm and embryos, bringing the law in line with advances in science, changes in modern society and individuals' reproductive choices," said HFEA Chair Julia Chain. "This is great news for patients, giving them more time to make important decisions about family planning. Any decision to store or preserve eggs, sperm or embryos is a serious one and anyone considering this must be given full information on the procedures involved, including the best time to freeze and likelihood of successfully using them to have a baby in future,? she said. "It is important that the new rules are clear and that fertility clinics are given adequate time to update their procedures to ensure they can both implement the changes effectively and give patients sufficient information so that they are fully informed about their options," she added. The DHSC has said that it would be inappropriate for the limit to apply to all cases so there will be additional conditions around third party donors and posthumous use. This process is to be consulted upon separately. The legislation for the broader change in the law will be tabled in Parliament in the coming months. "People across the UK are starting families later in life and it is increasingly commonplace for people to choose to freeze their eggs, sperm and embryos to preserve fertility. There are myriad reasons for this, such as not being ready or able to start a family or having a medical condition that can lead to premature infertility," said UK Minister for Innovation Lord James Bethell. "Prospective parents should not have to wrestle with time limits on their fertility choices, and this important change to storage timescales will give people more control over their future and eliminate the pressure that comes with knowing a decision has to be made within 10 years," he added.

UK to increase freeze limit for eggs, sperm, embryo to 55 years from 10 now

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar inscribed messages of protest on Easter eggs on Sunday while thousands of others were back on the streets, denouncing a February 1 coup and facing off with the security forces who shot and killed two men.

In the latest in a series of impromptu shows of defiance, messages including ‘Spring Revolution’, ‘We must win’ and ‘Get out MAH’ - referring to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing - were seen on eggs in photographs on social media.

"Easter is all about the future and the people of Myanmar have a great future in a federal democracy," Dr Sasa, international envoy for the ousted civilian government, said in a statement. Sasa, who uses only one name, is a member of a largely Christian ethnic minority in the predominantly Buddhist country.

Opponents of military rule have mounted a civil disobedience campaign since the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, that has included creative shows of defiance promoted on social media.

Young people in the main city of Yangon handed out eggs bearing the messages of protest, pictures in posts showed.

Crowds have returned to the streets day and night to reject the return of military rule after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy. Numerous candle-lit vigils took place overnight.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an activist group monitoring casualties and arrests, said the toll of dead had risen to 557, as of late Saturday.

In the capital, Naypyitaw, two men were killed when police fired on protesters on motorbikes, the Irrawaddy news site reported.

Police and a spokesman for the junta did not answer telephone calls seeking comment. 
Several thousand marched in the second city of Mandalay, according to images on social media, before police and soldiers moved in to disperse them.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar inscribed messages of protest on Easter eggs on Sunday while thousands of others were back on the streets, denouncing a February 1 coup and facing off with the security forces who shot and killed two men.

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar inscribed messages of protest on Easter eggs on Sunday while thousands of others were back on the streets, denouncing a February 1 coup and facing off with the security forces who shot and killed two men. In the latest in a series of impromptu shows of defiance, messages including ‘Spring Revolution’, ‘We must win’ and ‘Get out MAH’ - referring to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing - were seen on eggs in photographs on social media. "Easter is all about the future and the people of Myanmar have a great future in a federal democracy," Dr Sasa, international envoy for the ousted civilian government, said in a statement. Sasa, who uses only one name, is a member of a largely Christian ethnic minority in the predominantly Buddhist country. Opponents of military rule have mounted a civil disobedience campaign since the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, that has included creative shows of defiance promoted on social media. Young people in the main city of Yangon handed out eggs bearing the messages of protest, pictures in posts showed. Crowds have returned to the streets day and night to reject the return of military rule after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy. Numerous candle-lit vigils took place overnight. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an activist group monitoring casualties and arrests, said the toll of dead had risen to 557, as of late Saturday. In the capital, Naypyitaw, two men were killed when police fired on protesters on motorbikes, the Irrawaddy news site reported. Police and a spokesman for the junta did not answer telephone calls seeking comment. Several thousand marched in the second city of Mandalay, according to images on social media, before police and soldiers moved in to disperse them. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar protesters use Easter eggs as a symbol of defiance 

In a series of surprises unleashed by this year, a woman from Britain was recently able to hatch three ducklings from eggs bought at a supermarket.

CNN received a statement from Charli Lello, a 29-year-old woman who incubated duck eggs while being furloughed from work due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She got the idea from quail eggs, and had been planning to get ducks even before the lockdown had begun in the country.

<h6> 
<img alt="Ducklings are pictured on a duck raising farm in the southern town of Haskovo on November 8, 2016" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f629766e-a5be-49f5-a268-24df47af537e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_21.jpg" /> 
Ducklings are pictured on a duck raising farm in the southern town of Haskovo on November 8, 2016 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

She admitted to CNN, “Part of me thought this would never work”.

After six days of being in the incubator, the duck eggs started showing veins and an embryo.

The three ducklings that hatched from these eggs have been aptly named Beep, Peep, and Meep.

<h6><img alt="Ducklings swim in Echo Park Lake during the 36th annual Lotus Festival, which celebrates the annual lotus blooms and the contributions of Asian-Americans to Los Angeles, July 10, 2016, in Los Angeles, California" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="057a9acd-75a2-4dfe-a29b-52328ba51136" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-4_7.jpg" /> 
Ducklings swim in Echo Park Lake during the 36th annual Lotus Festival, which celebrates the annual lotus blooms and the contributions of Asian-Americans to Los Angeles, July 10, 2016, in Los Angeles, California | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Lello also keeps chickens and plans to keep the ducks with her at her home in Hertfordshire in London, with plans to eventually let them live with chickens.

However, this is a one-of-a-kind event. Usually, eggs bought at a supermarket will not hatch. In conversation with CNN, Lello called the event “rare”, and suggested others to exercise caution.

Laying ducks are white feathered and grow up to develop similar sizes. They possess a little curl in the tail feathers.

In a series of surprises unleashed by this year, a woman from Britain was recently able to hatch three ducklings from eggs bought at a supermarket. CNN received a statement from Charli Lello, a 29-year-old woman who incubated duck eggs while being furloughed from work due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a series of surprises unleashed by this year, a woman from Britain was recently able to hatch three ducklings from eggs bought at a supermarket. CNN received a statement from Charli Lello, a 29-year-old woman who incubated duck eggs while being furloughed from work due to the coronavirus pandemic. She got the idea from quail eggs, and had been planning to get ducks even before the lockdown had begun in the country. Ducklings are pictured on a duck raising farm in the southern town of Haskovo on November 8, 2016 | AFP She admitted to CNN, “Part of me thought this would never work”. After six days of being in the incubator, the duck eggs started showing veins and an embryo. The three ducklings that hatched from these eggs have been aptly named Beep, Peep, and Meep. Ducklings swim in Echo Park Lake during the 36th annual Lotus Festival, which celebrates the annual lotus blooms and the contributions of Asian-Americans to Los Angeles, July 10, 2016, in Los Angeles, California | AFP Lello also keeps chickens and plans to keep the ducks with her at her home in Hertfordshire in London, with plans to eventually let them live with chickens. However, this is a one-of-a-kind event. Usually, eggs bought at a supermarket will not hatch. In conversation with CNN, Lello called the event “rare”, and suggested others to exercise caution. Laying ducks are white feathered and grow up to develop similar sizes. They possess a little curl in the tail feathers.

British woman hatches three ducklings from supermarket bought eggs in a rare event

A man who hit the leader if Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with an egg in an apparent attack provoked by his stance on Brexit was sentenced to 28 days in jail on Monday.

Closed-circuit television footage showed John Murphy, 31, approach Corbyn, who was visiting a Muslim community centre in London's Finsbury Park on March 3 with his wife and party supporters, and crack the egg on the side of his head.

Prosecutors said Murphy shouted "respect the vote", an apparent reference to the 2016 EU referendum result. The attack occurred days after Corbyn, 69, had said Labour would support a second referendum if it could not get backing for its alternative Brexit plans.

"Although Mr Corbyn was not seriously hurt, Murphy had come with a number of eggs that he could have used had he not been detained quickly," Kevin Christie, District Crown Prosecutor at CPS London North.

Murphy, who pleaded guilty, was jailed for 28 days and made to pay a 115-pound ($152) victim surcharge.

"Whilst I am in a very public role, it is often very painful to see my wife, my sons and my wider family suffer deep stress because of my role and because of this attack upon me," Corbyn said in a statement read out in court.

A man who hit the leader if Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with an egg in an apparent attack provoked by his stance on Brexit was sentenced to 28 days in jail on Monday.

A man who hit the leader if Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with an egg in an apparent attack provoked by his stance on Brexit was sentenced to 28 days in jail on Monday. Closed-circuit television footage showed John Murphy, 31, approach Corbyn, who was visiting a Muslim community centre in London's Finsbury Park on March 3 with his wife and party supporters, and crack the egg on the side of his head. Prosecutors said Murphy shouted "respect the vote", an apparent reference to the 2016 EU referendum result. The attack occurred days after Corbyn, 69, had said Labour would support a second referendum if it could not get backing for its alternative Brexit plans. "Although Mr Corbyn was not seriously hurt, Murphy had come with a number of eggs that he could have used had he not been detained quickly," Kevin Christie, District Crown Prosecutor at CPS London North. Murphy, who pleaded guilty, was jailed for 28 days and made to pay a 115-pound ($152) victim surcharge. "Whilst I am in a very public role, it is often very painful to see my wife, my sons and my wider family suffer deep stress because of my role and because of this attack upon me," Corbyn said in a statement read out in court.

Watch: Man jailed for hitting UK opposition leader Coryn with an egg

Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf&rsquo;s (PTI) women wing attacked MNA Ayesha Gulali in anger as she arrived at a hotel in Bahawalpur Friday evening.

Women activists of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party threw eggs and tomatoes on rebel MNA Gulalai. Gulalai, who had announced to quit the party in early August last year had levelled allegations of harassment and corruption against Imran Khan, was attacked outside her hotel in the city.&nbsp;

She quit the PTI in August 2017 after blaming Imran Khan for sending her inappropriate text messages in October 2013.

She was in the city to attend an event organised by the Suba Bahawalpur Bahali Tehreek (SBBT).

In response to the &lsquo;go Gulalai go&rsquo; chants by PTI members, activists of the SBBT shouted &lsquo;go Imran go&rsquo; and &lsquo;ro (cry) Imran ro (cry)&rsquo;. Gulalai said that those PTI activists shouting slogans at her were not at fault and described the protesting activists as her sisters.

Incidents of attacking political leaders have increased in the present month.&nbsp;

The shoe-throwing incident on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Jamia Naeemia seminary in Garhi Shahu on March 11, the ink-throwing incident on Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif during a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) convention and another shoe throwing episode on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Narowal have surfaced recently.&nbsp;

Gulalai said that those PTI activists shouting slogans at her were not at fault and described the protesting activists as her sisters

Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) women wing attacked MNA Ayesha Gulali in anger as she arrived at a hotel in Bahawalpur Friday evening. Women activists of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party threw eggs and tomatoes on rebel MNA Gulalai. Gulalai, who had announced to quit the party in early August last year had levelled allegations of harassment and corruption against Imran Khan, was attacked outside her hotel in the city. She quit the PTI in August 2017 after blaming Imran Khan for sending her inappropriate text messages in October 2013. She was in the city to attend an event organised by the Suba Bahawalpur Bahali Tehreek (SBBT). In response to the ‘go Gulalai go’ chants by PTI members, activists of the SBBT shouted ‘go Imran go’ and ‘ro (cry) Imran ro (cry)’. Gulalai said that those PTI activists shouting slogans at her were not at fault and described the protesting activists as her sisters. Incidents of attacking political leaders have increased in the present month. The shoe-throwing incident on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Jamia Naeemia seminary in Garhi Shahu on March 11, the ink-throwing incident on Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif during a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) convention and another shoe throwing episode on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Narowal have surfaced recently.

PTI women throw eggs, tomatoes at MNA Ayesha Gulali

Every week, scientists in southern China release three million bacteria-infected mosquitoes on a three kilometre (two-mile) long island in a bid to wipe out diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and Zika. 
 
The scientists inject mosquito eggs with wolbachia bacteria in a laboratory, then release infected male mosquitoes on the island on the outskirts of the city of Guangzhou. The bacteria, which occurs naturally in about 28 per cent of wild mosquitoes, causes infected males to sterilise the females they mate with. 
 
&quot;The aim is trying to suppress the mosquito density below the threshold which can cause disease transmission,&quot; said Zhiyong Xi, who is director of the Sun Yat-sen University Centre of Vector Control for Tropical Diseases and pioneered the idea. &quot;There are hot spots,&quot; Xi said. &quot;This technology can be used at the beginning to target the hot spots ... it will dramatically reduce disease transmission.&quot; 
 
Mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for more than one million deaths worldwide every year and Zika has become a concern for athletes at this year&#39;s Olympic Games, which open in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. Some athletes, including the top four ranked male golfers, have declined to take part. 
 
An outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil last year has spread through the Americas and beyond, with China confirming its first case in February. 
 
US health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. 
 
The World Health Organization has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults. 
 
Sun Yat-sen&#39;s Xi said that several countries had expressed interest in his experiments, especially Brazil and Mexico. In the laboratory, mosquito eggs are collected from breeding cages containing 5,000 females and 1,600 males and injected with the wolbachia bacteria. 
 
Xi&#39;s facility has the capacity to breed up to five million mosquitoes a week. While a female mosquito that acquires wolbachia by mating is sterile, one that is infected by injection will produce wolbachia-infected offspring. Dengue, yellow fever and Zika are also suppressed in wolbachia-injected females, making it harder for the diseases to be transmitted to humans. 
 
Xi set up his 3,500 square metre (38,000 square feet) &quot;mosquito factory&quot; in 2012 and releases the males into two residential areas on the outskirts of Guangzhou. 
 
Xi said the mosquito population on the island has been reduced by more than 90 per cent. One villager on the island, 66 year-old Liang Jintian, who has lived there for six decades, said the study was so effective he didn&#39;t have to sleep with a mosquito net any longer. 
 
&quot;We used to have a lot of mosquitoes in the past. Back then some people were worried that if mosquitoes were released here, we would get even more mosquitoes,&quot; he said. &quot;We have a lot less mosquitoes now compared to the past.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Scientists inject mosquito eggs with wolbachia bacteria, then release infected male mosquitoes to sterilise females they mate with

Every week, scientists in southern China release three million bacteria-infected mosquitoes on a three kilometre (two-mile) long island in a bid to wipe out diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and Zika. The scientists inject mosquito eggs with wolbachia bacteria in a laboratory, then release infected male mosquitoes on the island on the outskirts of the city of Guangzhou. The bacteria, which occurs naturally in about 28 per cent of wild mosquitoes, causes infected males to sterilise the females they mate with. "The aim is trying to suppress the mosquito density below the threshold which can cause disease transmission," said Zhiyong Xi, who is director of the Sun Yat-sen University Centre of Vector Control for Tropical Diseases and pioneered the idea. "There are hot spots," Xi said. "This technology can be used at the beginning to target the hot spots ... it will dramatically reduce disease transmission." Mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for more than one million deaths worldwide every year and Zika has become a concern for athletes at this year's Olympic Games, which open in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. Some athletes, including the top four ranked male golfers, have declined to take part. An outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil last year has spread through the Americas and beyond, with China confirming its first case in February. US health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies. The World Health Organization has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults. Sun Yat-sen's Xi said that several countries had expressed interest in his experiments, especially Brazil and Mexico. In the laboratory, mosquito eggs are collected from breeding cages containing 5,000 females and 1,600 males and injected with the wolbachia bacteria. Xi's facility has the capacity to breed up to five million mosquitoes a week. While a female mosquito that acquires wolbachia by mating is sterile, one that is infected by injection will produce wolbachia-infected offspring. Dengue, yellow fever and Zika are also suppressed in wolbachia-injected females, making it harder for the diseases to be transmitted to humans. Xi set up his 3,500 square metre (38,000 square feet) "mosquito factory" in 2012 and releases the males into two residential areas on the outskirts of Guangzhou. Xi said the mosquito population on the island has been reduced by more than 90 per cent. One villager on the island, 66 year-old Liang Jintian, who has lived there for six decades, said the study was so effective he didn't have to sleep with a mosquito net any longer. "We used to have a lot of mosquitoes in the past. Back then some people were worried that if mosquitoes were released here, we would get even more mosquitoes," he said. "We have a lot less mosquitoes now compared to the past." (Reuters)

China: Scientists release 3 million bacteria-infected mosquitoes to combat Zika, other diseases

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