Potential Danger (03:33)

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Mosquitoes carry parasites and viruses that can be dangerous to humans. Doctors are working to develop new technologies to protect people. The Aedes aegypti mosquito carries many viruses and is common in Brazil.

Needs Blood (02:58)

Entomologist Ricardo Lourenco de Oliveira says that the Aedes mosquito lives around large populations and that the water distribution and garbage disposal system are inadequate, increasing risk of diseases in the city. A resident, Selma, says that stagnant water brings dengue fever to her neighborhood and that windows must be closed at four pm to keep the mosquitoes out.

Virus Transmission (01:30)

Viruses use the mosquito to multiply, spreading to the next person it bites via its saliva. A doctor inspects a patient suffering from a mild form of dengue fever.

Epidemic Cycle (02:00)

Traveling people and transported goods allow mosquitoes to move to new locations like Manaus. Mosquitoes then spread dengue fever.

Controlling the Mosquito (02:22)

To reduce transmission risk, researchers attempt to lower the mosquito population. An insecticide is used in Brazil. Traps are placed over the city to attract and kill mosquitoes.

Fighting the Vector (03:39)

In Juazeiro, scientists produce genetically modified strains of mosquitoes that they release into nature. Margaret Capurro describes the new technology used to fight the mosquitoes with mosquitoes. Michelle Pedrosa says the mosquitoes are separated by gender so that the genetically altered male mosquitoes can be released to mate with wild females.

Deforestation and Humans (02:29)

People are settling in Brazilian forests, which means that dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes will likely follow suit. Deforestation in the Brazilian forests will create new habitats for the disease-ridden mosquitoes to proliferate.

Transmitting Malaria (03:38)

More dangerous and fatal than dengue fever is malaria, a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. The Anopheles gambiae mosquito is found in tropical zones and affects rural populations, causing roughly 600,000 deaths per year.

Bite Exposure (03:50)

The Anopheles gambiae uses infrared vision, carbon dioxide detection, and a sense of smell to find human victims. Mosquitoes now can bite at dusk, endangering humans still outside.

Infected Children (01:57)

Malaria is a public health issue, and most people in Bama have symptoms of malaria twice a year. Sergio Luz says that eradicating malaria is not going to happen; pathogens remain and must be neutralized rather than domesticated.

Cure the Mosquitoes (02:37)

IRSS Center scientists take samples of blood from children infected with malaria in order to test antibodies and create new vaccines. The researchers aim to stop parasites from being transmitted from the mosquitoes to the victims.

Reproductive Sounds (01:57)

The scientists try to trap and destroy the mosquitoes. Sawadogo explains the way mosquito swarms, or mating sessions happen.

Transmitting Viruses (03:36)

In Southeast Asia, victims succumb to the perils of dengue fever and malaria because of a mosquito called Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Young children are particularly affected. This species also passes on the Japanese encephalitis virus to humans.

Pigs, People, Problem (03:50)

Didier Fontenille traps mosquitoes in rice fields. The mosquitoes and the diseases they carry continue their lifespans under the rice plants. The poverty-stricken people in Southeast Asia are uneducated about vaccination.

Invading Four Continents (03:20)

The Asian tiger mosquito, or Aedes albopictus, travels from one continent to another and has adapted to urban life, transmitting diseases. The species invaded France via major transportation routes.

Combating the Situation (03:00)

European travelers from tropical destinations transmit viruses after being bitten by mosquitoes. A machine is used to spray insecticides between houses in France, aiming to destroy mosquitoes that could turn people into virus-carriers.

Odor Studies (03:29)

Olfactory tests are used to identify what molecules mosquitoes are attracted to and repelled by. A bacterium reduces the lifespan of the female mosquito.

Managing the Mosquitoes (02:02)

The Zika virus was once contained to Ugandan forests; due to deforestation and other human interference, it is now on three continents.

Credits: Mosquitoes on the Rise (00:34)

Credits: Mosquitoes on the Rise