‘ Diet pill fight dengue, Zika’

Washington, Feb 9: Giving mosquitoes diet pills could combat the spread of malaria, Zika and dengue fever as scientists discover reducing their appetite stops them sucking blood.

Although mosquitoes do not need to watch their weight, giving the pests diet pills could combat the spread of malaria, Zika and dengue fever, according to scientists.

Researchers found the insects given drugs containing NPY- like receptors were less likely to suck blood when they were presented with a human arm.