Can We Stop Mosquitoes From Infecting the World?

The World Health Organization has declared Zika a global emergency, exploring links to mosquitoes and birth defects, though much is unknown. No vaccine or treatment is available, and immediate efforts focus on mosquito control. Researchers have linked the birth defects with Zika and mosquitoes, while some doctors in Argentina question if a larvicide could be the problem. Mosquitoes are “adapting to cold climates and conquering new territory,” reports Cheryl Katz for National Geographic. “Climate change, along with growing urbanization and the rise of international shipping and travel, will stretch the insects’ range and access to large human populations.” Research models suggest mosquitoes favor warm, wet conditions associated with climate change, and the insects can transmit other diseases including dengue and Chikungunya. Quick fixes may pose new problems, and mosquito-control methods include the release of bacteria and genetically modified insects that might decrease populations. As diseases and insects mutate, public health officials recommend reducing sources of standing water and preparing for insect-borne disease threats in new parts of the world. – YaleGlobal