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Anthony Fauci -

In 2021, the chief medical advisor to the US president, Anthony Fauci, made headlines when he was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease West Nile virus.

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High-profile case -

Apart from the fact that it involved a member of government personnel, this case was in the news because, historically, West Nile virus has been very rare outside of East Africa and parts of the Middle East.

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Part of a trend -

The Anthony Fauci case was no isolated incident, however. In fact, cases of West Nile viral fever have been on the rise in the United States for years.

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Statistics -

In 2023, for example, the virus was found in more than 1,100 mosquito pools. In 2024, cases of the disease have been detected in more than 39 states.

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Eastern equine encephalitis -

Another mosquito-borne illness on the rise is Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Much more dangerous than West Nile, EEE has a reported fatality rate of over 30%.

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On the rise -

While EEE infections are still rare, outbreaks in the United States have been occurring with increased frequency and geographical distribution over the past 20 years.

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The 2019 outbreak -

The largest outbreak in recent history was in 2019, when a record-breaking 38 cases were reported across the United States.

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2024 numbers -

In 2024, a total of 10 cases have been reported as of September, with the majority of those occurring in Massachusetts.

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Getting around -

In addition to rising case numbers, mosquito-borne illnesses have been cropping up in increasingly unusual places.

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Malaria in the US -

In 2023, for example, the United States saw cases of locally acquired malaria for the first time in 20 years.

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Locally acquired dengue -

Cases of locally acquired dengue fever have also been reported in California and Arizona, while record numbers of dengue cases have been reported across Europe.

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The role of climate change -

Experts believe that the rise in cases of mosquito-borne illness can largely be attributed to our planet’s changing climate.

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Rising temperatures -

Indeed, as average temperatures continue to rise, mosquito populations are now able to spread into areas that used to represent a hostile environment.

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C. Coronator example -

For example, the mosquito species C. Coronator,  which carries viruses such as West Nile, was first found in Louisiana in 2004.

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Entering new territories -

In 2024, this species has spread to almost all of the southeastern states, while other mosquito species are able to survive even further north.

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Mountainous mosquitoes -

And it is not only populous parts of the planet that are affected, either. In fact, as temperatures rise across the globe, mosquitoes are starting to reach even mountainous regions.

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Nepal -

In Nepal, for example, malaria has traditionally been endemic (limited to a particular locality or region), since mosquitoes were not able to survive at the altitude of the mountainous regions.

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Surviving and thriving -

With rising temperatures, however, mosquitoes are increasingly able to survive and thrive at higher altitude, and cases of malaria in the hills and mountains are on the rise.

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Serious consequences -

All these changes are predicted to have serious consequences for public health. As it stands, mosquito-borne illnesses already affect around 700 million people per year.

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Predictions -

Over the next century, experts predict that around one billion people will contract a mosquito-borne virus for the first time.

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Other causes -

It is not only rising temperatures that are to blame, however. There are also other aspects of climate change that are helping mosquito populations thrive.

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Flooding -

Increased flooding, for example, is also thought to play a role. Indeed, research has shown that pools of floodwater can provide a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

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Environmental pollution -

Environmental pollution, such as by human-produced plastic waste, has also been shown to encourage the spread of mosquitoes.

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Fertile ground -

Indeed, researchers have started referring to certain mosquito species as "container breeders," because they enjoy breeding in discarded plastic containers.

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Versatile -

Plastic is not the only material that attracts them, either. In fact, they can make themselves at home in pretty much any container and in various habitats.

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Stagnant water required -

The key point is that there is water stagnant in the container for a while, in order for the mosquitoes to have time to develop.

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Looking ahead -

Mosquito-borne illnesses can be serious, and the rise in case numbers is concerning. As we speak, scientists are looking for ways to reduce the impact on the human population.

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Looking ahead -

Ultimately, however, the onus should be on governments to do more to deal with climate change, which already has far-reaching consequences not limited to the spread of disease.

Sources: (BBC)

See also: Invisible illnesses—What are they, who do they affect, and how can one cope?

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