Climate change has caused rising temperatures, making the climate perfect for disease carrying insects. Mosquitoes carrying serious diseases such as “vector-borne” infections are becoming widespread across the eastern part of Europe and are said to be heading to the United States.
They are expected to bring diseases such as the West Nile virus, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya which creates a flulike illness that causes death. The Midwestern part of the United States is already said to be suitable for mosquitoes that carry these illnesses, so it is only a matter of time. Recently a species of Culex mosquito known to be the main carrier of West Nile virus was discovered in Chicago Illinois in April.
However, the bigger threat is the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) which spreads Dengue Fever and Chikungunya. The Asian Tiger Mosquito was found in Minnesota just last week. Scientists say warmer temperatures and more rainfall are providing the ideal conditions for the mosquito in the Midwest. Previously, Dengue transmission was largely confined to tropical and subtropical regions because frost kills the insect larvae and eggs. However, with warmer temperatures on the horizon, scientists say they are on their way to America in droves.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito has already been reported in 25 different European countries, where they have never been seen in previous years. In the past 3 years, insect borne infections have spread into new territories across Europe. Examples include Malaria in Greece, West Nile virus in Eastern Europe, and Chikungunya in Italy and France.
Scientists fear that once the mosquitoes arrive, they will also infect ticks and other small bloodsucking relatives of spiders, making this a mass pandemic in the United States.