mosquitoes

The Florida Department of Health is once again tracking above-average numbers of travel-related cases of the mosquito-borne disease dengue. Now, control groups are working to make sure the disease doesn’t become endemic.

The Florida Department of Health has recorded 30 cases in the state this year, all by patients who had been in Cuba. The disease is transmitted to humans by flies called midges and some types of mosquitoes.

The mosquito-borne virus remains less common in the continental United States, but in the 50 states so far this year there have been three times more cases than at the same point last year

Scientists say gene-editing technology may eradicate a mosquito in the U.S. that spreads dengue and other diseases. Concerns remain about the possible environmental impact of bioengineered mosquitoes.

Sarasota and Manatee counties remain under mosquito-borne illness alert. Polk and Orange counties are under advisories. A third case of dengue was confirmed in Miami-Dade.

The last time mosquito-borne malaria occurred in the U.S. was in 2003, when eight cases were identified in Palm Beach County.

The population of mosquitos is growing along with Florida's population of people and brings diseases like dengue fever and malaria. Climate change is sending non-native, invasive mosquito species to North America – specifically Florida.

In Guatemala's mosquito-plagued lowlands, researchers use a novel tool — they call it an "insectazooka" — to suck up mosquitoes. Then they peer at the blood meal, searching for unknown pathogens.

The first round of election results are in for Colombia, and we catch up on other Latin America headlines. Plus, an initiative to try to improve conditions for farmworkers on and off the field. And it’s Wildlife Thursday — we’re talking about those tiny pesky critters we love to hate — mosquitoes.

At least one new case of the West Nile virus was recently confirmed in Broward County, one of the first seen in years. The county would not say how many cases they confirmed or provide any other information, but said on Monday there is now a “heightened concern that additional residents will become ill.”

University of Florida researchers say southern house mosquitoes spreading West Nile in South Florida have become more resistant to the chemicals being used to kill them.

7 New West Nile Cases Announced. Miami-Dade Passes 30 Residents Who’ve Contracted It