The 2015 Zika outbreak in South America brought the virus to global attention. But tracing the history of the virus in West Africa can give clues to tackling future outbreaks.
Tiny bug, major disease spreader.
Dr. Paul Howell, USCDCP
Several sites in the US are releasing bacteria-infected mosquitoes as a way to fight mosquito-borne viruses that threaten people. What's the science – and how well will it work?
Dengue fever is influenced by rainfall, temperature and unplanned rapid urbanisation.
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Early detection of dengue fever and access to proper medical care where the symptoms are treated is critical and lifesaving.
Revellers at a carnival in Sao Paulo wear mosquito masks in a reference to the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can spread dengue and Zika on February 4, 2016.
Paulo Whitaker/Reuters
Our immune system protects us but when it comes to some mosquito-borne disease, it can work against us. What are the implications for the development of a Zika virus vaccine?
Cages full of hand reared yellow fever mosquitoes await research (or possibly release)
Cameron Webb, NSW Health Pathology/University of Sydney
Upscaling the success of emerging mosquito control technologies relies on automating the rearing and release of millions of mosquitoes. Australia is to become the testing ground for a novel strategy.
The outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil had Australian travellers on alert but transmission is only possible in tropical Queensland.
Cameron Webb
New research shows common local mosquitoes aren’t able to spread Zika. This means Australia is unlikely to see a major outbreak of the disease. But a risk remains in northern Queensland.
Aedes aegypti: bringing you Zika, dengue and Chikungunya.
Ian Jacobs/Flickr
How do we convince people that spreading Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes can eliminate dengue when they have long came to understand that mosquitoes transmit dengue?
Controlling mosquitoes has a large effect on controlling the diseases they carry.
Alvin Baez/Reuters
Innovations targeted at mosquito control are good but should not draw focus away from the tried and tested public health measures to control mosquito-borne diseases.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are at the center of Zika virus’ spread.
Jaime Saldarriaga/Reuters
Look beyond transgenic techniques that add new genes to a species. People have used selective breeding techniques to change plants and animals for millennia – why not try them on mosquitoes?
A new arrival in Australian backyards may increase the risks of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.
Insecticides and mosquito nets only get you so far. Synthetic biologists are ready to take the battle against mosquito-borne disease to the level of DNA – which might spell the insects’ ultimate doom.
Women read Zika virus flyers at the departures area of Santiago’s international airport, January 28, 2016.
Ivan Alvarado/Reuters
Models based on where the mosquitoes that transmit Zika are found and human travel patterns to and from infected areas are key to predicting where the virus will spread.
The link between microcephaly in unborn children and Zika hasn’t been definitely confirmed, but vaccine development is a top priority.
Percio Campos/EPA
As Zika fear rises, people are inevitably asking why we don't have a vaccine to protect against the mosquito-borne virus.
Municipal workers wait before spraying insecticide to prevent the spread of Aedes aegypti mosquito at Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 26, 2016.
Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Zika was discovered almost 70 years ago, but wasn't associated with outbreaks until 2007. So how did this formerly obscure virus wind up causing so much trouble in Brazil?
There is little doubt the virus can make it to Australia.
mrfiza/Shutterstock
