Zanzibar tests drones spraying rice fields to fight malaria

Rodriguez (left) training a drone pilot from the State University of Zanzibar how to fly a drone to spray the breeding grounds of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, at Cheju paddy farms in the southern Cheju region of the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Drones spraying a silicone-based liquid that spreads across the large expanses of stagnant water where malaria-carrying mosquitoes lay their eggs, are being tested to help fight the disease on the island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania. — Photos: AP

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania: For the first time drones are being tested to help fight malaria on the island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania.

The drones will spray a silicone-based liquid on rice paddies, where there are large expanses of stagnant water where malaria-carrying mosquitoes lay their eggs. The substance will spread across the water and prevent the eggs from hatching. It is hoped this will significantly reduce the numbers of the malaria-carrying anopheles mosquitoes in the area.