Zika Update: State-of-the-art Billboards in Brazil Can Spot and Kill Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes

In Brazil, scientists and researchers are continuously working to find ways to curb the spread of Zika virus. In line with that, an advertising company has chosen to be proactive in the fight against Zika virus. They released an electronic billboard which can attract Zika virus-carrying mosquitoes and then kill them. It is now known to many as the mosquito killing billboard.

NBS sought the help of Posterscope in Brazil to create a billboard installation, but aside from creating awareness about the Zika virus epidemic, this state-of-the-art billboard is designed to attract aedes aegypti or the mosquito carrying Zika virus.

The company is receiving praise for making their ad campaign more practical in the fight against Zika virus.

Andre Lima, vice president at NBS said, "Zika is a real problem here in Brazil... This idea reflects a lot of our beliefs in terms of what communication means in the contemporary world - that speech is not enough anymore. We need to do real things, not just talk about it."

How then, can the state-of-the-art killer mosquito billboard spot and kill Zika-carrying mosquitoes? Cargo Collective explained that in order to attract the specific mosquito, the billboard is equipped with a device which emits a lactic acid and carbon dioxide solution mimicking the smell of human sweat. The solution can attract mosquitoes within a four kilometer radius.

The mosquitoes hovering near the billboard can be sucked in by the billboard mechanism, trapping them. They eventually die of dehydration. Two of these billboards are currently in Rio de Janeiro, but the makers (Posterscope) are encouraging everyone to replicate the idea and the process to further help in fighting the deadly Zika virus.

A complete set of diagrams, photos and even a downloadable instruction sheet can be reproduced for free. Just visit Posterscope's Facebook page to know more.