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Experts worry as parts of the US see a huge drop in mosquitoes
The Independent • • health
Key Points:
- Mosquito populations have decreased by 50-70% this year across Western and Midwest U.S. states, including Minnesota, North Dakota, and Colorado, largely due to a historic drought driven by climate change.
- Despite fewer mosquitoes, cases of West Nile virus, a potentially deadly mosquito-borne illness, are at a 22-year high in the U.S., with Arizona reporting five deaths and accounting for about half of the 143 cases this year.
- Experts explain that drought conditions concentrate mosquitoes and birds around shrinking water sources, increasing the transmission risk of West Nile virus despite lower overall mosquito numbers.
- Mosquito species vary in their ability to thrive during droughts, with some areas like Utah experiencing high mosquito abundance, and climate change is causing more extreme weather that could lead to future population rebounds.
- Scientists are exploring biohacking and community control measures to manage mosquito populations, but experts agree mosquitoes are unlikely to be eradicated and emphasize the importance of respecting and managing them.
