Experts warn of potential public health threat as disease-carrying pests show alarming trend

A recent study has revealed the ways in which international trade and travel have allowed disease-carrying mosquitoes to reach new regions, including the U.S., France, and the Netherlands. Researchers traced the movement of various mosquito species across the globe via shipping, tourism, and commerce dating back to the 1500s.

The investigation found that 45 mosquito species, about a quarter of which can carry human diseases, have been introduced into regions beyond their native ranges. Of these, 28 species have successfully established populations in at least one new area. A notable surge in mosquito migration was observed after 1950, with 12 species recorded outside their original habitats since 2000 alone.

Initially, most introductions originated from Africa, but Asia has become the primary source in recent decades. North America, Europe, and Australia have consistently been the main destinations. The studys authors emphasized the importance of global trade and transport in facilitating mosquito spread, calling for international coordination to manage their potential public health risks.

While the research concentrated on mosquitoes traveling via human transport networks, climate change is also helping them survive in new locations. These insects thrive in warm and humid environments, enabling mosquito-borne diseases to appear in previously unaffected areas.

In Mediterranean countries such as Italy and France, hundreds of cases of illnesses like West Nile virus and chikungunya have been reported, diseases that were once limited to tropical regions. In a striking development, scientists in Iceland have found mosquitoes for the first time, marking a potential shift for a country traditionally free of these pests. Although it remains uncertain whether mosquitoes can fully establish populations in Iceland, the discovery is significant given the nations cold climate.

Measures Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases

The study suggests actionable steps, including monitoring shipping containers, used tires, and live plants, increasing surveillance in high-risk areas, and funding rapid responses to new mosquito incursions. Local authorities are also taking proactive measures. For example, after reporting its first locally acquired case of dengue in fall 2024, San Diego County swiftly treated neighborhoods to curb mosquito populations.

Author: Sophia Brooks