All articles tagged with #vector borne illness
Wisconsin officials confirmed the first cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in cattle since 2013, with positive samples identified in non-lactating dairy cows in Waukesha County. While the virus has caused significant deer mortality across southeastern Wisconsin, authorities emphasize that cattle rarely exhibit symptoms and the disease poses no risk to humans.
Climate change is expanding the geographic range and severity of infectious diseases, including tick-borne illnesses, mosquito-borne viruses, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While warming temperatures accelerate vector reproduction and pathogen transmission, drought conditions may also concentrate microbes, fostering drug resistance. Experts warn that these health risks compound with other climate stressors, such as flooding and air pollution, creating a complex public health crisis that requires proactive surveillance and community-level adaptation.
Florida has recorded 73 locally acquired dengue cases as of late August, with a sharp spike of 32 new infections in a single week. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is monitoring 10 counties under advisory or alert status, with Hillsborough County accounting for the majority of cases. In response, Pasco County is providing aerial mosquito spraying support to Hillsborough County, while Lee County and Orange County have heightened surveillance efforts. Prevention measures focus on eliminating standing water and using EPA-approved repellents, as the disease is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Chagas disease, caused by a parasite transmitted by kissing bugs, is now considered endemic in the US, with increasing evidence of spread due to climate change and limited surveillance. Experts emphasize the need for greater awareness, improved detection, and control efforts to prevent serious health consequences.
Scientists argue that Chagas disease, caused by kissing bugs and often overlooked in the US, should be treated as an endemic disease to raise awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment, as it can cause serious long-term health issues.
The CDC reports that Chagas disease, transmitted by kissing bugs that bite faces, is now endemic in the U.S., with pets also acting as carriers, indicating a rise in this life-threatening illness.
Naperville has tested positive for West Nile virus in mosquito traps and is urging residents to take precautions such as removing standing water, using repellents, and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of infection, especially around upcoming events like the Last Fling festival.
Illinois health officials have detected West Nile-positive mosquitoes in Joliet, prompting warnings for residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, especially as the virus can cause severe illness and has led to deaths in the past. The increase in mosquito-borne illnesses is linked to warmer weather, and authorities are urging measures like eliminating standing water and using insect repellent to reduce risk.
Massachusetts has detected its first case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in mosquitoes this year in Belchertown, prompting health officials to urge residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the risk of outbreak may increase during the summer.