Resumo:

Aedes aegypti is the principal urban vector of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, and its control remains a major public health challenge due to insecticide resistance, rapid urbanization, and climate variability. The deliberate introduction of the endosymbiont Wolbachia into A. aegypti populations has emerged as a complementary strategy capable of reducing vector competence and interrupting arbovirus transmission. This chapter reviews the biology and ecology of A. aegypti, the mechanisms by which Wolbachia interferes with viral replication and spreads through cytoplasmic incompatibility, and the evidence from field deployments in different epidemiological settings. We discuss how Wolbachia can be integrated into surveillance and response systems through molecular monitoring, geospatial analytics, and programmatic indicators aligned with integrated vector management. Operational considerations, including strain selection, community engagement, regulatory aspects, and long-term sustainability, are addressed alongside ethical and ecological questions. By combining biotechnology with digital epidemiology, Wolbachia programs illustrate a pragmatic pathway to strengthen preparedness and reduce the burden of arboviral diseases in urban environments.