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As Europe warms, Italy sees West Nile virus spread farther and longer

As Europe warms, Italy sees West Nile virus spread farther and longer

Italian health authorities see evidence that rising temperatures and longer warm seasons are helping mosquitoes spread West Nile virus across a wider area, during more months of the year

Florida Reports Surge in Travel-Related Chikungunya Cases and Local West Nile Virus

Florida Reports Surge in Travel-Related Chikungunya Cases and Local West Nile Virus

Florida has reported 60 travel-related cases of chikungunya fever, alongside two locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus in Alachua and Walton counties. This comes as the state is already experiencing a significant increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, leading the nation in dengue cases with 270 reported this year. Of these, 111 are locally acquired in six Florida counties, with 95 concentrated in Hillsborough County. Mosquito control experts note that peak dengue season typically runs from July through September. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species, identifiable by their dark bodies and white-striped legs, are responsible for transmitting dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya. These mosquitoes are daytime biters, most active just after sunrise and before sunset. County workers across Florida are intensifying efforts to combat mosquito populations through trapping and targeted spraying, particularly in areas with confirmed cases. For instance, Palm Beach County is under a ...

New Hampshire Reports Lower Mosquito-Borne Illness Detections Amid Climate Change Concerns

New Hampshire Reports Lower Mosquito-Borne Illness Detections Amid Climate Change Concerns

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has reported a decrease in detections of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus in mosquitoes for the current season compared to the past five years. As of September 10, no human cases of mosquito-borne illnesses have been reported in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine, though Massachusetts has seen eight human cases of West Nile virus. Despite the lower activity, officials urge continued precautions against mosquito bites, especially as mid-September is typically the peak for such illnesses. Precautions include wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, using EPA-registered repellents, staying indoors during peak mosquito activity times, and eliminating standing water to reduce breeding opportunities. Environmental shifts linked to climate change, such as rising temperatures, milder winters, and increased rainfall, are generally associated with the expansion of vector-borne diseases.

The Iran war is driving clean energy development. It's not enough to help the planet, yet

The Iran war is driving clean energy development. It's not enough to help the planet, yet

Countries are embracing clean power and taking steps to use less energy because of the war against Iran

Hillsborough County Reports First Dengue Fever-Related Death Amidst Rising Cases and Aggressive Mosquito Control Efforts

Hillsborough County Reports First Dengue Fever-Related Death Amidst Rising Cases and Aggressive Mosquito Control Efforts

Hillsborough County, Florida, has reported its first dengue fever-related death, as the county accounts for 88% of Florida's locally acquired dengue cases, with 134 infections reported so far. Doctors at Tampa General Hospital have treated over 100 dengue patients, noting severe symptoms like 'break-bone fever.' In response to the escalating situation, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is conducting aggressive aerial and truck-based treatments to eliminate both adult mosquitoes and larvae. These efforts appear to be effective, with mosquito trap numbers decreasing in certain locations and adult mosquito samples testing negative for dengue over the past two weeks. Furthermore, laboratory tests confirm that infected female mosquitoes are not passing the virus to their offspring. County officials are urging residents to assist by eliminating standing water on their properties and using bug spray, as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for dengue transmission, primarily breeds in man-made co...

CARPHA Advances Climate-Informed Action to Strengthen Vector-Borne Disease Preparedness in the Caribbean

CARPHA Advances Climate-Informed Action to Strengthen Vector-Borne Disease Preparedness in the Caribbean

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) recently concluded a two-day Regional Climate and Health Workshop in Barbados, focusing on vector-borne disease prevention and preparedness. The workshop, funded by CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund grant, aimed to enhance the practical use of climate and environmental information in disease surveillance, preparedness, vector control, and public health decision-making across six CARPHA Member States. Participants, including public health professionals, vector-borne disease experts, and meteorological service representatives from Barbados, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Curaçao, and Trinidad and Tobago, examined the relationship between climate and disease risk, climate information services, and disease forecasting systems. Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA, highlighted that climate-informed surveillance provides a critical advantage by enabling earlier recognition of changing risks and timely, targeted action. Dr. Roshan Parasram, Head of Vector-Borne Disease...

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Florida dengue hotspot map, where other mosquito-borne infections are

Florida dengue hotspot map, where other mosquito-borne infections are

Florida has reported 152 local dengue cases in 2026. See where infections are rising and symptoms to watch for.

Orange County, Florida, Elevates Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert Following Third Dengue Case

Orange County, Florida, Elevates Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert Following Third Dengue Case

Orange County, Florida, has escalated its mosquito-borne illness status from an advisory to an alert, the first such upgrade since 2011, after health officials confirmed a third locally acquired case of dengue. The Florida Department of Health made the change after two additional cases were identified within a single household in Apopka, following an earlier case reported in Pine Hills. Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control, explained that the presence of multiple local cases in different areas triggered the alert. Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which typically remains within a few blocks of its hatching site. In response, mosquito control crews are conducting door-to-door treatments in Pine Hills and Apopka to eliminate standing water and breeding sites. The county has also implemented new laboratory equipment utilizing PCR detection to rapidly test mosquitoes for viruses, providing results within a single day, a significant improvement over previous methods that ...

Orange County Mosquito Control Implements PCR Technology for Rapid Disease Detection Amidst Dengue Cases

Orange County Mosquito Control Implements PCR Technology for Rapid Disease Detection Amidst Dengue Cases

Orange County Mosquito Control in Florida has adopted new PCR technology to rapidly detect mosquito-borne illnesses, following the confirmation of two additional locally acquired dengue cases in Apopka. This technology allows the agency to test mosquito samples in its own lab for viruses such as West Nile, Zika, and dengue, significantly reducing the time it takes to get results. Previously, suspected virus samples had to be sent to external labs, often taking days to a week for results. With the new in-house PCR testing, results can now be obtained within a day, sometimes even by the afternoon of the same day mosquitoes are collected and processed. This expedited testing process enables Orange County Mosquito Control to respond more quickly and efficiently to potential outbreaks, enhancing their ability to identify and mitigate illnesses in the local mosquito population. The Florida Department of Health has reported over 40 locally acquired dengue cases in Florida this month, with three in Orange County.

U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

Health officials across the U.S. are issuing warnings regarding an increase in infections and deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as 'flesh-eating' bacteria. This rare bacterium naturally occurs in warm saltwater and brackish water. Infections can occur through direct contact with contaminated water, especially for individuals with open wounds or broken skin. Another common route of infection is consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. So far this year, Florida has reported four deaths from 21 cases, and Louisiana has reported six deaths from 17 cases. South Carolina has also reported three cases, with one related death. While healthy individuals typically experience mild illness, the bacteria poses a significant risk to those with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, or other underlying health conditions. Severe infections can lead to intensive care, limb amputations, and a fatality rate of about one in five, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours of illness onset.

New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

A recent study published in iScience indicates that mosquitoes are selectively attracted to humans based on individual skin scent and microbiomes. Lead researcher Matthew DeGennaro found that while there isn't a universal 'mosquito magnet,' specific mosquito species show preferences. For instance, Aedes aegypti, a vector for Zika and dengue, favored male participants and individuals with higher levels of Staphylococcus bacteria but lower levels of cyclic alcohols. Aedes albopictus was drawn to abundant bacteria, odors, and ketones, while Culex quinquefasciatus avoided odors but liked chemicals found in essential oils. The study, conducted in Florida, tested the attraction of these three species to 119 human participants. Participants wore nylon sleeves to capture skin odor and microbes after not washing for 12 to 16 hours, and their arms were then exposed to mosquitoes in a uniport olfactometer to measure attraction levels. These findings suggest that the unique composition of an individual's skin scent an...

Grenada Strengthens Disease Surveillance with New Online National Guidelines

Grenada Strengthens Disease Surveillance with New Online National Guidelines

Grenada has significantly enhanced its disease surveillance capabilities by introducing new online Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines. This initiative, supported by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Pandemic Fund Project for the Eastern Caribbean, involved a three-day national end-user workshop that trained 45 health workers from across Grenada's health system and partner sectors. The guidelines consolidate essential information for health workers, including case definitions, notification pathways from facility to national level, reporting timelines, laboratory confirmation procedures, and the roles of various units. By presenting these guidelines on an online platform, the Ministry of Health can centrally update content, ensuring all facilities access the most current version. The system is designed to align national practices with the International Health Regulations (2005) and adopts a 'One Health' approach, integrating human, animal, and environmen...