Researchers warn of significant increase in prevalence of dangerous disease: 'Linked to nearly all types'

Scientists are uncovering how a single mosquito species has emerged as a major threat to global health. Once confined to African forests and feeding mainly on wildlife, these mosquitoes have adapted to bite humans, spreading viruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya throughout tropical and subtropical regions.

Jacob Crawford, a researcher, explained that dengue infections are now 50 to 100 times more frequent than they were fifty years ago, putting approximately 4 billion people at risk. "Out of over 3,500 mosquito species, Aedes aegypti is responsible for nearly all dengue cases," Crawford stated during a Georgetown University news release.

Crawford, alongside Georgetown professor Peter Armbruster, conducted a genome sequencing study of more than 1,200 mosquitoes from 74 locations worldwide. Published in Science in September, their research traces the migration of Aedes aegypti from Africa to the Americas and its adaptation to urban environments, including breeding in transport containers and developing insecticide resistance.

The expansion of Aedes aegypti highlights how global warming and urbanization increase disease risks. Warmer, wetter climates allow mosquitoes to survive in previously inhospitable areas, causing dengue and other illnesses to appear in new regions every year.

At the same time, controlling these infections may become more difficult. Greater mosquito outbreaks could lead to increased insecticide use, potentially fostering resistance in these highly adaptable insects.

In response, Crawford hopes that genomic insights from the study will aid in creating new strategies to curb the spread of diseases like dengue. His research was conducted through Debug, a Google mosquito-control initiative, providing crucial data to inform scientific solutions and policy decisions against this deadly vector.

In their Science paper, the authors emphasize that the dataset "will support understanding and managing resistance and assist in developing new tools to reduce the impact of dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses."

Individuals can also take steps to limit mosquitoes near their homes: removing standing water, planting mosquito-repelling native species, installing screens, using repellents, wearing protective clothing, and supporting public health programs that ensure clean water and disease monitoring can all help reduce risk.

Author: Sophia Brooks