Tag

Vector Borne Diseases

All articles tagged with #vector borne diseases

science1 month ago•8 min saved

Deforestation Pushes Mosquitoes Toward Humans for Blood

A Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution study in Rio de Janeiro’s Atlantic Forest remnants shows mosquitoes feeding on humans more often than on other animals, likely because biodiversity loss reduces alternative hosts. From 1,714 mosquitoes across 52 species, 24 blood meals were identified, with 18 traced to humans. The findings suggest that host availability and proximity drive this shift, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission (dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, Mayaro, Chikungunya) and underscoring the need for targeted surveillance and ecosystem-aware disease control.

via SciTechDaily|

#biodiversity-loss #deforestation #human-blood-meals

science1 month ago•38 min saved

Forest loss nudges Atlantic Forest mosquitoes toward human blood

New research links deforestation in the Atlantic Forest to mosquitoes increasingly feeding on humans, suggesting biodiversity decline and habitat destruction push mosquitoes to human blood and raise the risk of new disease vectors; reversing habitat destruction could help, but the reversibility of this shift remains uncertain.

via Yahoo|

#atlantic-forest #biodiversity-loss #deforestation

health1 month ago•2 min saved

Scientists Warn of Global Spread of Disease-Carrying Insects

A study in Nature Communications warns that the global spread of mosquitoes through trade and travel has increased significantly since the 1950s, raising the risk of vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus and encephalitis, which pose serious health and economic challenges. The expansion is driven by global shipping, trade routes, and climate change, emphasizing the need for preventive measures such as protective clothing and eliminating standing water.

via Yahoo|

#disease-spread #global-trade #health

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Male Mosquitoes Can Also Feed on Blood

Recent research reveals that male mosquitoes can feed on blood under certain conditions, challenging long-held beliefs and raising concerns about their potential role in disease transmission, although further studies are needed to understand the implications fully.

via Gizmodo|

#bloodfeeding #male-mosquitoes #mosquitoes

science5 months ago•1 min saved

Texas's Mosquito Boom: Extending Season and Rising Threats

The Texas State Department of Public Health Services is actively studying dangerous mosquitoes to prevent the resurgence of vector-borne diseases like malaria and yellow fever, which are re-emerging in the US as efforts to control these insects have waned.

via vox.com|

#entomology #mosquitoes #public-health

public-health7 months ago•3 min saved

Three South Carolina Cities Among Worst in US for Mosquito Infestations

Myrtle Beach, along with Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina, ranks among the top 50 U.S. cities for mosquito infestations in 2025, according to pest control reports, highlighting the importance of proactive mosquito control measures to prevent disease transmission and reduce nuisance bites during the peak season from April to October.

via Post and Courier|

#mosquitoes #myrtle-beach #pest-control

health8 months ago•6 min saved

Climate Change Reshapes Infectious Disease Patterns

Climate change is altering Europe's climate, leading to a northward shift of tropical and vector-borne diseases like dengue, expanding the range of mosquitoes and ticks, and increasing water and sea-borne pathogens, while melting permafrost risks releasing ancient microbes and toxins, all of which pose new public health challenges that require adaptation and increased awareness.

via France 24|

#climate-change #europe #health

health8 months ago•12 min saved

Oropouche Virus Alert: Potential Citywide Visit

The Oropouche virus, historically rare and confined to tropical regions, has caused a major outbreak in South America in 2023-2024, spreading to urban areas and raising concerns about its potential to reach the US due to climate change, deforestation, and increased travel. With no current vaccines or treatments, and its spread facilitated by midges and environmental factors, experts warn that this and similar vector-borne diseases are becoming a global threat, emphasizing the need for better surveillance, prevention, and preparedness.

via vox.com|

#climate-change #health #oropouche-virus

health1 year ago•3 min saved

Cayman Islands Reports First Oropouche Virus Case

The Cayman Islands has confirmed its first imported case of the Oropouche virus, a vector-borne disease transmitted by midges and mosquitoes, prompting public health officials to urge vigilance against such diseases. While no local transmission has been reported, the region is experiencing a rise in cases, with recent outbreaks in countries like Panama and Brazil. The Cayman Islands' health authorities emphasize the importance of public awareness and mosquito control measures to prevent the spread of Oropouche and dengue fever.

via Jamaica Observer|

#cayman-islands #health #mosquito-control

health1 year ago•2 min saved

"Massachusetts Leads U.S. in Life-Threatening Powassan Virus Cases in Ticks"

UMass Amherst researchers utilized real-time testing during a tick survey in parts of Massachusetts and detected the emerging Powassan virus, which can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness. The survey found that 4.03% of ticks tested positive for the virus, with pockets of high incidence in certain areas. The development of sensitive detection methods for diagnostics and surveillance is crucial in assessing the risk of exposure, and steps to protect against tick bites include checking for ticks and wearing protective clothing.

via WWLP.com|

#health #massachusetts #powassan-virus

health-public-health2 years ago•2 min saved

"Surveillance Method Change Leads to 70% Increase in US Lyme Disease Cases"

A new surveillance method for tracking Lyme disease in the US has led to a significant spike in reported cases, with over 62,000 cases in 2022, nearly a 70% increase from previous years. However, the CDC suggests that this spike may be due to changes in surveillance methods rather than a change in disease risk. The new methodology allows high-incidence jurisdictions to report cases based solely on laboratory evidence, potentially capturing more cases but creating challenges for tracking historical trends. Despite the reported cases being a fraction of the estimated total, vector-borne diseases are a growing public health threat, prompting the US Department of Health and Human Services to launch a national public health strategy to prevent and control these diseases.

via AOL|

#cdc #health-public-health #lyme-disease

health-public-health2 years ago•2 min saved

"Surveillance Method Change Leads to 70% Increase in US Lyme Disease Cases"

A new surveillance method for tracking Lyme disease in the US has led to a significant spike in reported cases, with over 62,000 cases in 2022, nearly a 70% increase from previous years. However, the CDC suggests that this spike may be due to changes in surveillance methods rather than an actual increase in disease risk. The new methodology allows high-incidence jurisdictions to report cases based solely on laboratory evidence, potentially capturing more cases but creating challenges for tracking historical trends. Despite the reported cases, the estimated number of total Lyme disease diagnoses in the US is about 476,000 annually. Vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, are a growing public health threat, and the US Department of Health and Human Services has launched a national strategy to prevent and control these diseases.

via CNN|

#cdc #health-public-health #lyme-disease

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"Emerging Painful Diseases Pose Unprecedented Threat, Say Health Officials"

Health officials warn that global heating, climate change, and increased international travel and trade are causing painful diseases prevalent in tropical countries to become a major threat worldwide. Diseases such as West Nile, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and leishmaniasis are spreading beyond their traditional tropical boundaries, with Europe and the Gulf Coast of the United States experiencing rising cases. The lack of available antiviral therapies for most of these diseases and the suitable conditions created by climate change for their emergence or re-emergence pose significant threats to public health. More research and understanding of disease vectors are needed to develop vaccines and treatments.

via Yahoo News|

#climate-change #globalization #health

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Mosquito Spraying Scheduled for Palm Beach County and Jarrell Neighborhood

Palm Beach County's Division of Mosquito Control will conduct aerial spraying to combat increased mosquito levels and potential vector borne disease threats. The spraying will cover approximately 165,000 acres, including populated areas west of Military Trail, such as Jupiter, Acreage/Loxahatchee/Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, and the Glades communities. Residents are advised to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and minimize standing water on their properties.

via BocaNewsNow.com|

#aerial-spraying #health #mosquito-control