Tag

Mosquitoes

All articles tagged with #mosquitoes

health1 hour ago•44 min saved

Massachusetts records second West Nile case of the season in Middlesex County

Massachusetts health officials reported the state’s second human case of West Nile virus this year, in Middlesex County, prompting a high-risk level for several Boston-area communities. Mosquitoes testing positive since mid-June and the first case—a man in his 90s—underscore the peak-season risk, and authorities urge precautions such as EPA-registered repellents, avoiding outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, and wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce bites.

via The Boston Globe|

#health #massachusetts #middlesex-county

health1 day ago•1 min saved

Massachusetts reports second West Nile virus case as risk rises in multiple Boston-area towns

Massachusetts health officials announced a second human West Nile virus case this year, a man in his 60s from Middlesex County, as the state lifts the risk level to high in several Boston-area communities and notes 184 WNV-positive mosquito samples statewide, urging residents to use repellent and drain standing water to prevent bites.

via WCVB|

#health #massachusetts #middlesex-county

health4 days ago•6 min saved

LA West Nile Fatality Highlights California’s Virus Surge

A warm winter and heat wave spurred West Nile virus activity to a five-year high in California, with 30 statewide human cases and three deaths; Los Angeles County recorded its first fatality of the year (a San Fernando Valley resident) and 15 infections, about half in the Valley. Officials urge residents to use DEET, eliminate standing water, and ensure tight screens, noting no vaccine or specific treatment exists and that older or immunocompromised people are at higher risk during peak transmission from June to November. Climate change could worsen future outbreaks.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #health #los-angeles-county

health5 days ago•4 min saved

Michigan reports first human case of dangerous EEE since 2021, triggering mosquito-prevention push

Michigan confirms its first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) since 2021, identified in a Roscommon County resident. EEE is rare and potentially deadly (about a 30% fatality rate) with no specific treatment; health officials are testing mosquitoes and monitoring for other arboviruses as a precaution. Residents are urged to reduce standing water, use EPA-registered repellents, wear protective clothing, and ensure screens are intact to prevent bites.

via Detroit Free Press|

#arbovirus #eee #health

health5 days ago•14 min saved

Idaho reports first West Nile meningitis case of the season, urging mosquito bite precautions

Idaho’s health officials report the first human West Nile virus meningitis case of the year, a Canyon County resident over 65 who was hospitalized and is recovering at home; officials urge protection against mosquito bites and reducing standing water to prevent transmission, noting that West Nile can cause severe illness—especially in older adults.

via East Idaho News|

#health #idaho #meningitis

science5 days ago•11 min saved

Skin oils and fatty acids, not sugar, determine who mosquitoes target

Researchers linked who mosquitoes bite most to skin chemistry rather than blood sugar. In a nylon-sleeve assay, volunteers with higher sebum-derived carboxylic acids—driven by skin bacteria—were far more attractive to Aedes aegypti, with one subject about 100 times more attractive. About 50 elevated skin compounds were identified as correlates of this “mosquito magnet” profile. The work suggests the skin’s chemical signature governs attraction and hints at microbiome-based interventions, but it’s not yet known how universal this is across mosquito species or how easily the effect could be altered.

via Space Daily|

#body-odour #carboxylic-acids #mosquitoes

health6 days ago•8 min saved

West Nile virus surge prompts US health warning as mosquitoes spread

US health officials report a rising threat from West Nile virus as mosquito activity increases, with at least eight deaths and more than 180 cases across 30 states this year. Arizona has the most cases and fatalities, while California has fatalities among dozens of cases. West Nile can cause brain inflammation and paralysis, and there is no specific antiviral treatment. A climate-change–driven drought concentrates mosquitoes and birds around shrinking water sources, prompting preventive guidance to wear insect repellent, cover exposed skin, and eliminate standing water around homes.

via The Independent|

#health #infections #mosquitoes

health6 days ago•25 min saved

NYC logs first West Nile case of 2026 as citywide mosquito activity rises

New York City has its first confirmed West Nile virus case of 2026, with the infected resident falling ill after outdoor exposure. Nationally, 222 West Nile cases have been reported. Mosquitoes carrying the virus have been detected in all five boroughs since June. Officials say the illness is preventable and urge protective steps: use insect repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, and remove standing water around homes. NYC typically sees about 31 West Nile illnesses annually; most infections are mild, but about 1 in 150 can become neuroinvasive.

via New York Post|

#health #mosquitoes #new-york-city

health6 days ago•18 min saved

Chicago Faces Daytime Mosquito Boom Fueled by Rain

Experts say the invasive Asian Tiger mosquito is active during the day and spreading across Chicagoland, driven by heavy rainfall that creates standing-water breeding sites; while the species is mainly a nuisance rather than a disease threat in Illinois, residents should drain standing water, report it to 311, use EPA-registered repellents, and consider using a box fan outdoors to deter bites.

via Block Club Chicago|

#aedes-albopictus #asian-tiger-mosquito #chicago

health6 days ago•40 min saved

West Nile virus cases surge across the U.S. as drought concentrates mosquitoes

West Nile virus cases are rising across the United States, with more than 180 cases and eight deaths reported in 30 states this year; Arizona leads with 73 cases and five deaths, California has roughly 30 cases and three deaths, and Idaho has its first severe case. Experts say drought conditions are concentrating mosquitoes and birds around shrinking water sources, boosting transmission, while health officials urge protective steps such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, and removing standing water.

via Yahoo News Canada|

#arizona #california #health

health7 days ago•51 min saved

West Nile virus surge prompts US public health warnings as drought concentrates mosquitoes

West Nile virus cases are rising across the U.S., with at least eight deaths in 30 states this year; Arizona leads with 73 cases and five deaths, while California has three deaths from about 30 cases. Severe infections can cause brain or spinal inflammation and there is no specific treatment. Officials say drought conditions in the West may concentrate mosquitoes around shrinking water sources, boosting transmission, and urge protective steps like using insect repellent and removing standing water.

via Yahoo|

#cdc #drought #health

health7 days ago•47 min saved

Florida Records Local Dengue Transmission, First in 15 Years

Florida has reported 10 locally acquired dengue cases this year—eight in Hillsborough County and two in Pinellas County—marking the first local transmission in Pinellas in 15 years. Dengue fever is mosquito‑borne and can cause fever, rash and severe body pains; most U.S. cases come from travelers, but local transmission can occur when an infected traveler introduces the virus to local Aedes mosquitoes. The CDC advises protective clothing and insect repellent and authorities continue mosquito-control efforts to prevent further spread.

via Yahoo|

#dengue #florida #health

science7 days ago•7 min saved

Mosquito Magnets: Why Some People Draw More Bites and How to Fight Back

Mosquito bites aren’t random: a mix of cues—carbon dioxide output, heat, moisture, and skin odors—along with genetics can make certain people more attractive to mosquitoes. Factors like exercise, alcohol consumption, clothing color, and pregnancy can increase bite risk, while location and exposure also matter. Practical protections include covering exposed skin, using tested repellents (DEET or picaridin), wearing light-colored clothing, reducing standing water around home, and using citronella or lemon eucalyptus candles in the yard; beware unproven remedies like garlic or vitamin supplements.

via Good Housekeeping|

#bug-bites #carbon-dioxide #mosquitoes

health7 days ago•17 min saved

Drought Fuels West Nile Surge Across the U.S.

West Nile virus cases are rising across 30 states with eight deaths; drought is concentrating water sources and boosting mosquito breeding, helping the virus spread—California and Idaho report severe cases—though illness is usually mild, severe disease can occur and there is no specific treatment; protection includes repellents and removing standing water.

via The Independent|

#california #drought #health

health12 days ago•25 min saved

Tiny, Deadly Bites: Mosquitoes Claim 700,000 Lives Each Year

Globally, mosquitoes kill more than 700,000 people annually by spreading diseases such as malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis; malaria alone accounts for over 600,000 deaths each year, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue infects about 400 million people annually with roughly 21,000 deaths. In the U.S., malaria has reemerged with locally acquired cases in 2023, while dengue cases surged in 2024 (up 359% above the 2010–2023 average) and West Nile virus reached a 22-year high. Vaccines exist for several of these diseases, but only a small fraction of the thousands of mosquito species transmit pathogens; most mosquitoes are harmless.

via New York Post|

#dengue #health #malaria