US facing a mosquito onslaught

MOSQUITOES capable of spreading serious and potentially deadly diseases such as Zika, dengue and yellow fever could invade about three-quarters of mainland US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned.

The agency has previously warned climate change could affect human health in many ways including increasing the number of “disease carriers such as mosquitoes and ticks”.

In a paper in the Journal of Medical Entomology, it put maps showing areas where the habitat was suitable for two key species of mosquito, Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus, to survive.

A study found 71% of counties in the 48 contiguous states were suitable for aegypti and 75% could support albopictus.

The paper said the dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses in particular represented a “growing public health threat in parts of the US where they are established”.

The CDC has produced advice on how to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and potentially catching one of the diseases they spread.

Their suggestions include wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens, using insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and treating clothing with insecticide permethrin.