mosquitos
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Rising temperatures accelerate global dengue spread, including U.S. territories
Dengue fever cases are surging globally, in part driven by climate change, with Puerto Rico seeing record numbers and a warning for future outbreaks in the United States.
Lena H. Sun and Sarah Kaplan report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Dengue cases have reached an unprecedented 10 million this year, exacerbated in part by global warming, which expands mosquito habitats.
- Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency with over 1,500 cases reported by mid-June, anticipating more due to the hot and rainy season.
- Public health officials expect the virus will crop up in more temperate regions, including the southernmost parts of the United States.
- The only U.S. dengue vaccine will expire in 2026, complicating future prevention efforts.
Key quote:
“The storm’s comin’, folks. It’s here in Puerto Rico, but you guys are going to feel it pretty soon.”
— Grayson Brown, executive director of the nonprofit Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit.
Why this matters:
Mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species responsible for transmitting dengue, flourish in warmer, wetter environments. As climate change drives temperatures upward and alters precipitation patterns, these insects can expand their range, invading new territories and bringing dengue along with them. Countries unaccustomed to dealing with dengue outbreaks must now brace for potential epidemics, placing additional strain on healthcare systems already grappling with other infectious diseases.
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Heavy rains spur mosquito surge in Houston with climate change worsening the issue
After recent heavy rains in Texas, Houston residents face a severe mosquito infestation, with climate change expected to exacerbate future outbreaks.
Matt Keyser and Dino Grandoni report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Recent heavy rains in Texas have led to an unusually high mosquito population in Houston.
- Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall from climate change are creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions.
- Harris County health officials are working to control mosquito populations to prevent disease spread.
Key quote:
" ... as it gets warmer earlier, we see a larger amount of mosquitoes earlier. We are getting hotter temperatures earlier. This is the impact that climate change has had on Harris County."
— Max Vigilant, director of mosquito and vector control in Harris County
Why this matters:
Experts warn that the situation is more than a seasonal nuisance. With climate change driving increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, including heavier rainfall and warmer temperatures, Houston and other regions could see more frequent and severe mosquito outbreaks. Warmer climates accelerate the mosquito life cycle and expand their habitat, making infestations more common and prolonged.
This surge disrupts daily life and raises public health alarms due to the potential spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.
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Climate change and its impact on Africa's public health
Africa's rising temperatures are worsening vector-borne diseases in vulnerable regions, a serious public health issue.
In short:
- Rising temperatures in Africa extend the life cycle of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing disease spread.
- Edward Miano emphasized climate change as a major public health crisis, linking it to the reemergence of diseases in previously unaffected areas.
- Collaborative efforts across various sectors are deemed necessary to combat the adverse effects of climate change on health.
Key quote:
"It is crucial to acknowledge the gravity of the situation that we are facing today, especially around climate change, as it is no longer only an environmental concern, but it has evolved into a significant public health crisis with far-reaching implications for communities worldwide."
— Edward Miano, executive director of the Health Rights Advocacy Forum
Why this matters:
Climate change reshapes our environment and our health landscape, making once rare diseases common and introducing new health threats to regions already facing socio-economic challenges.
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Credit: Егор Камелев/Unsplash
Climate crisis fuels mosquito disease spread in Europe, expert argues
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever are increasing in Europe due to global warming, according to an expert.
In short:
- Prof. Rachel Lowe emphasizes the need for preparedness as warmer climates allow mosquitoes to inhabit new regions, potentially introducing diseases to immunologically naive populations.
- Dengue fever is spreading rapidly; the Asian tiger mosquito is now found in 13 European countries.
- Climate-related droughts and floods enhance virus transmission through increased mosquito breeding sites.
- If current warming trend continues, the number of people living in place where these vectors thrive is expected to double to 4.7 by 2100.
Key quote:
"Global warming due to climate change means that the disease vectors that carry and spread malaria and dengue [fever] can find a home in more regions, with outbreaks occurring in areas where people are likely to be immunologically naive and public health systems unprepared."
— Rachel Lowe, head of the global health resilience group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
Why this matters:
As global temperatures rise, the habitats suitable for mosquitoes are expanding. This expansion means that more people are at risk of dengue fever as these mosquitoes bring the disease to new areas.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution, climate change and the global burden of disease.
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Opinion: A vacation surprise - when a mosquito bite leads to dengue fever
In a personal recount, Dr. Deborah Heaney shares her unexpected battle with dengue fever following a vacation mosquito bite, highlighting the disease's surge in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In short:
- Dengue fever, often overlooked, caught Dr. Heaney by surprise, revealing gaps in public and medical awareness.
- The disease is proliferating due to climate change, with 2024 poised to set new records in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Efforts to educate travelers, medical professionals, and the public on dengue fever and its prevention are urgently needed.
Key quote:
"We will be doomed to miss textbook cases like mine."
— Deborah Heaney, physician
Why this matters:
As global temperatures rise, the habitats suitable for mosquitoes are expanding. Warmer climates allow these mosquitoes to survive and breed in regions that were previously too cold for them, including higher altitude areas and more temperate zones. This expansion means that more people are at risk of dengue fever as these mosquitoes bring the disease to new areas.
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Puerto Rico faces dengue emergency amid rising cases
In a bid to curb an unprecedented surge in dengue fever, Puerto Rico declares a public health emergency, highlighting the escalating challenge posed by mosquito-borne diseases globally.
In short:
- Puerto Rico's health department records a 140% increase in dengue cases, reaching epidemic levels with 549 cases this year.
- The island's struggle is part of a larger global trend, with climate change and environmental factors contributing to the spread of diseases like dengue.
- Despite the growing threat, efforts to control the outbreak include public education, vaccine campaigns, and innovative mosquito control technologies.
Key quote:
"It’s a complex problem, but climate change, and most importantly consistently increasing temperatures, even in higher elevations, [create] fertile ground for an outbreak."
— Manisha Bhinge, vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Health Initiative
Why this matters:
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, presents a significant health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Puerto Rico. Characterized by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash, dengue can progress to more severe forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, potentially leading to death.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution, climate change and the global burden of disease.
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How scientists are fighting climate-fuelled disease
As leaders gather in Dubai for the UN climate summit, experts say global warming is having a ‘profound effect' on health.
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