mosquitoes

Scientists are developing new methods to control mosquitoes as climate change lengthens mosquito season and expands the range of disease-carrying species. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal on earth, spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue, and longer warm seasons give the insects more time to transmit dangerous illnesses. Climate researchers warn the public health threat is growing.

Several Florida counties have declared a state of emergency in response to what health officials are calling a wildly unusual outbreak of dengue fever. The mosquito-borne illness, typically rare in the continental United States, has prompted local emergency measures as authorities work to control mosquito populations and curb further transmission. Coverage from national outlets is drawing attention to the outbreak's unusual scale and the implications for public health in the region.

A global health summit is being held in Saranac Lake, New York, focused on dengue fever and how the threat it poses is changing. The gathering brings attention to the mosquito-borne disease's shifting spread, a growing concern for health experts as cases expand into new regions.

A dengue fever researcher is speaking about the ongoing dengue outbreak in Florida, explaining how the virus is being transmitted and what the risk of further spread looks like. The comments come as Florida has recorded locally acquired dengue cases, raising public health concerns in the region. The researcher's remarks are drawing attention to mosquito-borne disease risks in the United States.

Researchers in Colombia have identified previously unknown viruses and antibiotic resistance genes in mosquitoes and sand flies, revealing that these disease-carrying insects host far more microbial life than expected. The findings suggest the insects could play a role in spreading antimicrobial resistance, adding a new dimension to concerns about mosquito-borne disease in the region.