Few insects evoke the aversion that mosquitoes do. But beyond their nuisance factor, mosquitoes are carriers of some of the world's most serious illnesses.
Zika Virus Panic Over Birth Defects in Latin America and United States
With the sting of a mosquito bite and a fever, many pregnant women may not know that they caught the Zika virus - until it strikes their unborn child.
With the sting of a mosquito bite and a fever, many pregnant women may not know that they caught the Zika virus - until it strikes their unborn child.
‘Environmental gradients and fluctuations affect the transmission of several diseases these mosquitoes vector, including Zika.’
She studies the natural history of these blood-sucking insects to better understand their implications on human health. More specifically, she focuses on the environmental factors (climatic variables, infections, competition and predators) that impact mosquitoes’ life history and behavioral traits that affect their ability to transmit disease. "For over a decade, I have worked on how climate factors, infections, competition and predators influence the biology and behavior of these species," says Costanzo. "Since Aedes aegypti is a primary vector (carrier) of Zika and the Aedes albopictus mosquito has been indicated as a potential vector, I am familiar with the biology of these carriers and how it impacts the epidemiology of viruses they transmit, such as Zika."
Costanzo raises Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from larvae to adulthood in her climate-controlled lab at Canisius College. She runs studies investigating how environmental variations may impact traits in mosquitoes that are important to disease transmission. "If we can get a better understanding of how the environment alters these traits in these species, we can provide insight into the effects of environmental gradients and fluctuations on the transmission of several diseases these mosquitoes vector, including Zika."
Florida Reports First Three Cases of Zika Virus
Florida Health Department encourages Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by all means possible.
Florida Health Department encourages Florida residents and visitors to protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by all means possible.
Source-Newswise
Pregnant Women Must Avoid Traveling to Zika Virus-Epidemic Countries: CDC
In pregnant women, Zika virus can spread to the fetus and damage the brain tissue resulting in smaller brain sizes, birth defects or death.
In pregnant women, Zika virus can spread to the fetus and damage the brain tissue resulting in smaller brain sizes, birth defects or death.
Haiti Hit By an Outbreak of the Zika Virus
A health lab in Trinidad and Tobago confirmed on Thursday that five out of 11 Haitian blood samples tested positive for Zika virus, a mosquito-borne ailment.
A health lab in Trinidad and Tobago confirmed on Thursday that five out of 11 Haitian blood samples tested positive for Zika virus, a mosquito-borne ailment.
