All articles tagged with #arboviruses
The article discusses ongoing efforts to combat infectious diseases, including vaccine distribution for the upcoming flu season, research debunking concerns about aluminum adjuvants, and rising cases of arboviruses and mpox, while also highlighting measures like border restrictions to prevent disease spread and emphasizing the importance of public health information.
Researchers have discovered that a protein called Argonaute 2 (Ago2) in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes plays a crucial role in keeping the mosquitoes healthy and active despite being infected with dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and other harmful viruses. By impairing the mosquitoes' defense mechanisms, such as the small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway, the researchers found that the mosquitoes became more susceptible to viral infections and had a reduced ability to transmit the viruses to humans. This discovery opens up the possibility of developing a new strategy for controlling mosquito-borne diseases by engineering mosquitoes to become less tolerant to virus infection, ultimately reducing their ability to transmit diseases to humans.
Michigan residents need to be aware of the aggressive Asian tiger mosquito, which can transmit viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. These invasive mosquitoes were first discovered in Michigan in 2017 and are believed to travel to the state in products shipped from states where they are established. To prevent mosquito bites, Michigan officials suggest using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, maintaining window and door screening, and emptying water from mosquito breeding sites. Larvicides are also an option for treating standing water that cannot be removed.