St. Louis area company Forrest Innovations hopes it can reduce the spread of the Zika virus, which is transmitted sexually and by infected mosquitoes. That’s according to Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Peter Lyskowski.

lyskowski

Peter Lyskowski (Photo courtesy of Department of Health and Senior Services)

“Using either genetically modified or otherwise modified mosquitoes that are sterile that can’t reproduce has shown some affect,” said Lyskowski. “There’s actually a company that has an office presence in St. Louis that is actually on contract with Brazil to release up to 25 million mosquitoes a week.”

There have been four confirmed cases of people in Missouri with the virus.

Zika can be transmitted sexually and by infected mosquitoes. There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant.

A health officials said about 80% of those who get Zika, do not show symptoms of the virus. Those who get the virus, generally have red eye, fever, rash and muscle aches.

The disease, which is rapidly spreading across central America and South America, has prompted many to worry about the potential for travelers to bring Zika to the United States.

Bill Peterson of KWIX contributed to this story.