A New Look at the Dynamics of Human–Mosquito Contact
It's not enough to know mosquito abundance in a given area. Rather, the rate at which mosquitoes and humans actually come into contact is critical, a group of researchers say, to better understanding and modeling mosquito-borne disease transmission.
Vector-Borne Disease: CDC Report Outlines Key Steps for Prevention and Control in U.S.
Perhaps overlooked in the public eye upon its release in September, a new "framework" report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is none the less a vital step forward in the nation's efforts to better support and coordinate the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. Here's a closer look at the report and what's next in this critical public-health pursuit.
Salt-Based Mosquito-Control Products Aren’t Worth Their Salt, Study Finds
Products claiming to reduce mosquito populations with salt-water solutions are ineffective, according to a new study. In a series of lab tests using nine mosquito species, a team of expert mosquito researchers found no evidence that adult mosquitoes are killed by salt ingested at concentrations used in several popular mosquito-control products. The findings are reported in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
Notes From Puerto Rico: Quakes Increase Risk for Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreak
Grayson Brown, Ph.D., executive director of the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit and a past president of the Entomological Society of America, reports that conditions in Puerto Rico are ripe for a potential dengue outbreak, as recent earthquakes have driven residents out of their homes, increasing their exposure to mosquitoes. The PRVCU is working with ESA and other organizations to quickly procure approximately 5,000 bed nets to help protect residents from mosquitoes.