Mosquito-borne illnesses are on the rise across the United States and much of the globe, causing some experts to be concerned that the pesky insect may be a growing public health threat.
Earlier this week, the first person to be diagnosed with Eastern equine encephalitis virus, or EEE, in New York in nearly a decade died from the rare mosquito-borne infection. The incident spurred Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to issue a warning that the disease posed an imminent public health threat to the state.
Over the summer, cases of EEE spread across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and other New England states, each also breaking records for the region.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County in California announced on Thursday the first death in the county due to West Nile virus, the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S.
In August, even infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci was hospitalized after contracting West Nile, telling reporters that he felt like he had “been hit by a truck” and had “never been as sick in [his] life.”
Last year, five cases of domestically acquired malaria in Florida and Texas set off alarm bells for public health workers.
Here is everything you need to know about the rise of mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S.
Symptoms and rates of infection
As of late September, there have been nearly 750 cases of West Nile virus in 43 states across the country, including 515 cases of severe neuroinvasive disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 1 in 5 people infected with West Nile develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues. Most people recover quickly, but the fatigue can last several weeks or months.
About 1 in 150, however, can develop severe infections that attack the central nervous system. This can cause encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
EEE has similar symptoms, including flu-like symptoms in mild cases and neurological degeneration in those more severe. But the risk of severe infection and death is significantly higher than West Nile.
Less than 1% of those infected with West Nile develop severe illness. Of those, between 3% and 15% die.
By contrast, the case-fatality rate for EEE is approximately 30%, according to the National Institutes of Health, and about half of those who survive will have continued neurological problems.
EEE has been considered by scientists as a bioterrorism weapon because of its high mortality rate and easy transmissibility, according to the NIH.
Warmer temperatures and wetter climates
Shifts in climate have allowed mosquito populations that carry a variety of diseases to spread into new areas.
Rising temperatures allow mosquitos to thrive in habitats that were once thought to be inhospitable for the insects, such as mountainous regions with historically colder climates.
This is in part because mosquitoes are cold-blooded animals, meaning they are incapable of regulating their own body temperatures. This affects the entirety of their life cycle, including their bite rate.
Scientists suggest that milder winters and warmer spring and fall months in North America and Europe are creating conditions that are more suitable for various species of mosquitoes that would normally be unable to thrive.
Changes in rain patterns, including the frequency and intensity of flooding, have also contributed to the problem by creating ideal areas for mosquito breeding. Even small containers of standing water can be the perfect spot for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
Increasing humidity and urbanization also contribute to better breeding conditions.
How to protect yourself
Avoiding mosquito bites is the best way to stave off infection.
Taking active measures such as avoiding going out during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active is one of the most effective mitigation measures.
If you do go out, wearing long pants and sleeves or using insect repellent is also strongly advised.
The CDC recommends the use of insect repellant that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and ones that include the chemicals DEET, picaridin, and IR3535.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that DEET is safe to use on children as well so long as it is no more than 30% concentration.
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Emptying standing water from outdoor containers, such as empty flower pots or toys, is an important part of eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around your property.
Ensuring that doors and windows are properly secured with screens will also prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors.
