Emerging Threats: Disease-Carrying Insects Spread in New US Regions
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Mosquitoes capable of carrying life-threatening diseases have reached the Mountain West, far from their typical tropical and subtropical habitats. In Grand Junction, Colorado, public health workers are raising alarms after discovering the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a vector for dengue, Zika, and other viruses.
According to Inside Climate News, conditions in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, historically too harsh for the insect, are now changing due to global warming. Warming winters have enabled these mosquito populations to spread northward.
The Grand River Mosquito Control District launched its Aedes aegypti surveillance program in 2024, capturing 796 adult mosquitoes and finding 446 eggs. Unlike native mosquitoes that breed in ponds and ditches, Aedes aegypti often prefers containers, such as plant saucers, watering cans, and old tires.
Many residents are unaware of the presence of this species in their neighborhoods and the associated threat. Tim Moore of the Grand River Mosquito Control District stated, 'They are locked into humans.
That's their blood meal.' This situation is concerning as mosquitoes are often referred to as the most dangerous species on Earth, responsible for spreading diseases that kill hundreds of thousands worldwide each year.
The World Health Organization reports that dengue cases have increased by as much as 25 times since 2000, with about half the global population now at risk. The spread of Aedes aegypti is a wake-up call regarding how a warming world exacerbates disease risks.
In Grand Junction, while the transmission of dengue remains unlikely without an infected traveler, the presence of Aedes aegypti highlights potential future risks. To combat the spread, the mosquito control program has expanded trapping, testing, and targeted spraying, investing more than $15,000 in new tools and alternative insecticides in 2025.
Communities are encouraged to eliminate standing water around homes, clean gutters, and use EPA-approved repellents. Experts advocate for broader actions to reduce climate change and strengthen public health systems for vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant individuals living in low-income communities.