Drought Conditions Lead to Significant Drop in Mosquito Populations Across U.S.
Parts of the United States, particularly in the Western and Midwest regions, are experiencing a significant decrease in mosquito populations due to historic drought conditions exacerbated by climate change. States like Minnesota, North Dakota, and Colorado have reported mosquito levels dropping by 50% to 70%. Despite the reduction in mosquito numbers, the risk of West Nile virus remains high, with case numbers reaching a 22-year high in the U.S. The drought has concentrated mosquito breeding around smaller water bodies, increasing the potential for virus transmission.