Health
Tiger mosquitoes blamed for spread of dengue fever: ‘Most invasive species’
As dengue fever continues to spread throughout Europe, experts are blaming an invasive mosquito species as the culprit.
Known as “tiger mosquitoes,” the insects — of the species name Aedes albopictus — have spread into 13 EU countries, according to an alert from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Elitza Theel, PhD, director of Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Minnesota, confirmed that tiger mosquitoes are a “known vector” for dengue virus and can transmit the virus to individuals who have not previously been infected.
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“This mosquito species is concerning for a number of reasons, including that it is considered the most invasive species in the world,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Although typically considered a tropical mosquito, it is able to survive in cooler climates.”
Tiger mosquitoes — the species Aedes albopictus — have spread into 13 EU countries, according to an alert from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (iStock)
The mosquito species is moving further and further north globally as temperatures grow warmer, the expert said.
“Tiger mosquitoes are also rather aggressive, biting both humans and animals at any time of the day, rather than just at dawn or dusk, which is typical of other mosquito species,” Theel warned.
Health officials claimed that climate change is one of the factors contributing to the spread of these insects.
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“Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favorable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as dengue,” said Andrea Ammon, ECDC director, in a press release from the agency.
“Increased international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of imported cases, and inevitably also the risk of local outbreaks,” she continued.
“This mosquito species is concerning for a number of reasons.”
“Personal protective measures combined with vector control measures, early detection of cases, timely surveillance, further research and awareness-raising activities are paramount in those areas in Europe most at risk.”
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever is a virus spread through bites from an infected mosquito.
It is common in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Islands, among other countries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Each year, up to 400 million people are infected, the CDC said.
There is a vaccine available for U.S. children between 9 and 16 years of age who have previously tested positive for dengue and are living in areas where the infection is common. (iStock)
Typical symptoms include aches and pains (in the eyes, muscles, joints or bones), nausea, vomiting and rash, usually experienced within two weeks of being bitten.
Most people experience symptoms for two to seven days before recovering.
“It’s typically a more mild illness, but can be severe, causing headaches, joint pain, fever, abdominal pain and even death,” Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director of International SOS, a leading medical and security services company, told Fox News Digital.
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“One of the reasons for the higher rate of infection is due to the fact that the tiger mosquito, the carrier of dengue, has adapted to living in urban environments and alongside humans,” said Pennsylvania-based Fischer.
There is not currently a medication to treat dengue, the CDC noted.
“This species … has established populations in several [U.S.] states.”
Infected people are advised to rest, take acetaminophen for pain and fever, stay hydrated and see a doctor.
There is a vaccine available for U.S. children between 9 and 16 years of age who have previously tested positive for dengue and are living in areas where the infection is common.
Dengue fever in the US
While dengue fever is most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics, experts warn that it’s also rising globally.
“Based on information from the National Invasive Species Information Center, this species of mosquito was first identified in the United States in 1985 and has established populations in several states,” Fischer told Fox News Digital.
Typical symptoms include aches and pains (in the eyes, muscles, joints or bones), nausea, vomiting and rash, usually experienced within two weeks of being bitten by an infected mosquito. (iStock)
There does not currently seem to be an immediate threat of tiger mosquitoes to the U.S., however, noted Fischer.
“That said, with climate change affecting the globe and tiger mosquitoes thriving in warm temperatures and in urban cities, it is possible that they can become an increasing danger in the coming months and years,” he said.
In 2024, there were 1,984 dengue cases in the U.S., according to CDC data.
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Most of those were reported by people who had been infected outside the country before returning.
“Although this species of mosquito is currently found in the U.S., at present it is considered a nuisance mosquito, because the viruses it is competent to transmit are not circulating or endemic in the United States,” Theel said.
Other risks of mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are considered the world’s deadliest animal because they transmit so many dangerous pathogens, with dengue being the most common — “over 390 million infections annually worldwide,” Theel noted.
While dengue is one of the “most concerning viral pathogens” that mosquitoes transmit, Theel warned that they also transmit malaria, which causes over 240 million infections each year and remains a serious problem in Africa and regions of southeast Asia.
Mosquitoes are considered the world’s deadliest animal because they transmit so many dangerous pathogens. Dengue is the most common — “over 390 million infections annually worldwide,” one expert noted. (iStock)
“These mosquitoes can also transmit other viruses, like Chikungunya virus and Zika virus, to humans — and dirofilaria, a parasitic nematode, to both dogs and humans,” she said.
“The West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus are some of the mosquito-borne viruses that we are concerned with annually in the U.S., all of which can lead to severe neurologic disease and sequelae,” Theel added.
“Each year, one million people die from mosquito-related illness, so these insects do pose a serious threat to global health.”
Depending on where in the world they reside, some people may be more at risk for some of these illnesses than others, said Fischer.
“It is important to check your local government resources to see which, if any, of these diseases you may be most susceptible to and make sure you are taking proper precautions to avoid mosquito-borne illness,” he advised.
“Each year, one million people die from mosquito-related illness, so these insects do pose a serious threat to global health.”
Prevention of mosquito-borne disease
In its alert, the ECDC called for “efficient but eco-friendly tools to manage mosquito populations” and recommended “removing stagnant water in gardens or balconies where mosquitoes breed.”
“It’s important to wear insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or lemon and eucalyptus oil, as these ingredients are the most effective at repelling mosquitoes and other insects,” Fischer advised.
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“Those who live in areas with mosquito populations should try to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially at dusk and in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active, to avoid getting bitten on exposed skin.”
Keeping screens on windows and doors is also a good way to prevent insects from entering and potentially causing the spread of disease, he said.
Individuals should always use EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent, an expert advised. (iStock)
“If you live in an area that has a high level of mosquito-borne diseases, you should use mosquito nets when sleeping and eliminate any standing water in and around the home, since still bodies of water are breeding grounds for the insects,” Fischer recommended.
“Individuals should always use EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent — particularly at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active,” Theel recommended.
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“If camping or spending prolonged time outdoors and in forested areas, individuals could consider treating their clothing with permethrin to repel insects as well.”
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
A new study suggests that exercise can treat depression just as effectively as therapy and antidepressants.
A Cochrane review looked at 73 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 5,000 adults with a depression diagnosis. The studies compared exercise with either other active treatments — such as therapy or medication — or with “inactive interventions,” like being placed on a wait list or in a control group.
The London-based team discovered that exercise may be “moderately effective” compared to no therapy in reducing depression symptoms, according to a press release.
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“There is probably little to no difference in depressive symptoms between people undertaking exercise and those receiving psychological therapy,” the authors noted in a study discussion on Cochrane’s website, and “there may be little to no difference in depressive symptoms between people doing exercise and those taking antidepressants.”
The analysis discovered that exercise may be “moderately effective” compared to no therapy in reducing depression symptoms. (iStock)
The review found that light- to moderate-intensity exercise was more beneficial for easing depression symptoms than vigorous exercise.
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No single type of physical activity stood out as the best, but mixed programs that included resistance training appeared to be “more effective” than just aerobic exercise.
Some forms of exercise, like yoga and stretching, were not included in the analysis, but are areas to be further researched, the review noted.
Mixed exercise programs and resistance training appeared to be “more effective” in easing depression symptoms than just aerobic exercise. (iStock)
Professor Andrew Clegg, lead author of the review, wrote in a statement that exercise “appears to be a safe and accessible option for helping to manage symptoms of depression.”
“This suggests that exercise works well for some people, but not for everyone, and finding approaches that individuals are willing and able to maintain is important,” he said.
Study limitations and risks
The researchers noted that there was a high risk of bias in some of the studies included in the review, and noted that the long-term effects of exercise on depression symptoms remain uncertain.
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Clegg noted that “larger, high-quality studies” are needed to determine which types of exercise work best and whether the benefits last over time.
The comparison between exercise and other treatments and how they benefit people’s quality of life were also “inconsistent and uncertain.”
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“Adverse events from exercise were not common,” the researchers mentioned. “The small number of participants who experienced them usually reported muscle and joint problems or worsening of depression.”
About 21 million U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode in a recent year — equivalent to roughly 8.3% of all U.S. adults, according to the National Institutes of Health. (iStock)
“Future research should focus on improving the quality of the studies, working out which characteristics of exercise are effective for different people, and ensuring different types of people are included in the studies so that health equity issues can be considered,” they went on.
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About 21 million U.S. adults had at least one major depressive episode in a recent year — equivalent to roughly 8.3% of all U.S. adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, guilt or irritability, as well as loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities. Fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, appetite changes and social withdrawal are also red flags, in addition to thoughts about dying or suicidal ideations.
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The condition is most often treated by antidepressant medications and psychological therapies, such as talk therapy. Anyone who needs help should consult their doctor.
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With an aggressive new strain spreading across the country, this year’s flu season has been marked by record-high hospitalizations and reportedly intense symptoms.
As people look for ways to contain the spread, new research has found that a few simple factors can greatly reduce transmission.
Researchers from the University of Maryland Schools of Public Health and Engineering in College Park and the School of Medicine in Baltimore studied influenza spread by placing flu-positive college students in a hotel room with healthy middle-aged adult volunteers.
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The study, published in the journal PLOS Pathogens, is reportedly the first clinical trial investigating how the flu spreads from naturally infected people to uninfected people, according to a press release.
The participants, including 11 healthy volunteers, lived on a quarantined floor of a Baltimore-area hotel for two weeks. During that time, they simulated interactions, including having conversations, doing physical activities like yoga, and passing around objects like pens and tablets from infected people to the rest of the group.
New research has experts questioning how the flu spreads through airborne transmission. (iStock)
Researchers monitored the participant’s symptoms, performed daily nasal swabs, and collected saliva and blood samples to test for antibodies, the release stated.
The study also measured the “viral exposure” in the volunteers’ breathing air and ambient air in the activity room. The exhaled breath of the participants was measured by a machine called the Gesundheit II, invented by researcher Dr. Donald Milton and colleagues at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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At the end of the experiment, none of the healthy individuals had become infected with the flu due to a variety of factors. This included a lack of coughing, as the infected students were holding “a lot of virus in their noses” and only small amounts were “expelled into the air,” the researchers noted.
Researchers said proper ventilation was a major factor in halting flu spread in this study. (iStock)
“Our data suggests key things that increase the likelihood of flu transmission — coughing is a major one,” Dr. Jianyu Lai, post-doctoral research scientist and the study’s lead data analyst and report writer, shared in a statement.
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The other factor was ventilation and air movement, as the air in the study room was “continually mixed rapidly by a heater and dehumidifier, and so the small amounts of virus in the air were diluted,” Lai pointed out.
The researcher added that middle-aged adults are “usually less susceptible” to influenza than younger adults.
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Most researchers assume that airborne transmission is a major factor of disease spread, according to Dr. Donald Milton, professor at SPH’s Department of Global, Environmental and Occupational Health and a global infectious disease aerobiology expert.
“At this time of year, it seems like everyone is catching the flu virus, and yet our study showed no transmission,” he said in the same press release. “What does this say about how flu spreads and how to stop outbreaks?”
There have been 81,000 flu-related hospitalizations and more than 3,000 deaths in the U.S. this year so far, data shows. (iStock)
Milton, who was reportedly among the first experts to identify how to stop the spread of COVID-19, noted that findings from these types of trials are essential to updating international infection-control guidelines.
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“Being up close, face-to-face with other people indoors where the air isn’t moving much, seems to be the most risky thing — and it’s something we all tend to do a lot,” he said.
“At this time of year, it seems like everyone is catching the flu virus, and yet our study showed no transmission.”
“Our results suggest that portable air purifiers that stir up the air, as well as clean it, could be a big help,” Milton suggested. “But if you are really close and someone is coughing, the best way to stay safe is to wear a mask, especially the N95.”
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Approximately 11 million flu illnesses and about 5,000 deaths have occurred so far in the 2025-2026 influenza season, according to CDC data. A large share of the current flu cases are caused by the new influenza A subclade K variant.
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