Yes, there are way more mosquitoes than usual in NYC this summer—here's why
Not surprisingly, this bloodsucking boom has been fueled by rain. The city has logged nearly four extra inches of rainfall since April compared to this time last year, turning gutters, flowerpots and every poorly drained corner of the five boroughs into prime mosquito nurseries. According to entomologists, it only takes a bottlecap's worth of water for mosquitoes to lay up to 200 eggs—and those eggs hatch fast.
'The fact that we've seen a lot of mosquitoes now is not really a surprise to me considering how much rain we've had,' Columbia University environmental health professor Jeffrey Shaman told Gothamist. 'They can bite you in your yard, they can bite you in the parks.'
This year's surge is being called one of the most intense seasons in recent memory, thanks to warm, wet conditions and a climate that's increasingly leaning subtropical. Mosquito Joe, a national pest-control company, warned that conditions across NYC are 'ramping up' to be particularly severe.
The good news is that while bites are definitely up, West Nile cases are way down. New York has seen a 91-percent drop in positive mosquito pools compared to last year, according to the Department of Health. Still, public health experts warn against getting too comfortable. Mosquitoes can spread West Nile, Zika and even malaria—yes, malaria has recently popped up in states like Maryland and Florida.
If you want to fight back, experts recommend the 'BITE' method: Block skin with long sleeves and EPA-approved repellents; install screens on doors and windows, trim grass and shrubs and eliminate standing water wherever it hides. You can also plant mosquito-repelling herbs like rosemary, mint and lavender—or just embrace the aesthetic of a citronella candle fortress.
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a day ago
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NewYork-Presbyterian hospital faces class action over health plan, insurance contracts
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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
My husband of 5 months went to bed with a headache and woke up having a seizure – doctors gave him 5% chance of living
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Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Cami and Jake Bartel only been married five months when Jake had a seizure Credit: Cover Images 8 Jake had swelling on his brain, so medics initially suspected a severe viral or bacterial infection Credit: Cover Images 8 Doctors prepared Cami for the worst Credit: Cover Images The couple went to sleep as normal at their home in Chicago, and both hoped it would pass by morning. But at 4am on October 1, Cami woke to find Jake having a seizure right beside her in bed. 'I called 911 immediately. It was surreal, almost like watching someone else's life unravel,' said Cami, now 28. 'One moment we were planning our future, and the next I was rushing my 27-year-old husband to hospital without knowing if he'd survive.' What started as a simple headache had spiralled into a full-blown medical emergency overnight. By the time Jake was admitted, doctors were completely baffled. 'He didn't just have a seizure,' said Cami. 'There was also swelling on his brain, and that really scared everyone.' Medics initially suspected a severe viral or bacterial infection and ran urgent tests for everything from meningitis to West Nile virus. 'They told me they were checking for all kinds of infections,' she said. 'But every single test came back negative. It was like watching them search in the dark while Jake got worse.' How to check your pulse, for risk of stroke With no clear answers and Jake's condition deteriorating rapidly, doctors prepared Cami for the worst. 'That's when they gave me the five per cent survival rate,' she says. 'They assumed it had to be some virus they just couldn't identify, but they weren't even considering anything beyond that. 'I was 22, sitting there, trying to process that my husband, who had been healthy just hours earlier, might not make it through the night.' But Jake, now 32, defied the odds and was discharged from hospital just two weeks later. 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'Mitochondrial diseases like MELAS are so often overlooked, especially in adults. "If that one resident hadn't mentioned it weeks later, we might never have found out.' 'They were convinced it was some unknown infection they couldn't identify,' said Cami. 'Mitochondrial disease wasn't even on their radar," she added. 8 The diagnosis forced the couple to overhaul every part of their life Credit: Cover Images 8 In 2021, Jake returned to university and earned a master's degree in education Credit: Cover Images The experience highlighted just how easily rare conditions like MELAS are missed or misdiagnosed, especially in adults. In January and February 2020, Jake was back in hospital with stroke-like episodes, a common but terrifying complication of MELAS. 'Each time, I wondered if this would be the one that takes something from us permanently,' said Cami. But Jake never gave up. In 2021, he returned to university and earned a master's degree in education. They moved to Arizona, and he started working as a teacher. 'Starting all over again' For the first time since his diagnosis, it felt like things were settling. Then, in October 2022, they bought their first home. 'We were so proud,' Cami recalled. 'It felt like we were building something solid again.' But just one week after moving in, Jake suffered a major stroke that impaired his speech. 'I can't put into words what it's like to watch the person you love struggle to speak,' she says. 'I knew he was still Jake, but I also knew we were starting all over again.' It took Jake two years of recovery and rehabilitation to regain his speech and strength. Today he's back working as an attorney, and he and Cami now share their story on TikTok to raise awareness of MELAS and support others navigating chronic illness. Their TikTok page, has become a place of education, vulnerability, and hope. In one emotional clip, Jake thanked viewers for their support. 'We didn't expect this kind of response, and we're genuinely grateful,' he said. 'It's been incredibly hard to come to terms with having MELAS. Every day is a balancing act, managing my health while trying to live a full life.' What is MELAS syndrome? MELAS syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects how the body produces energy. The name stands for mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes. It's caused by faults in mitochondrial DNA, the tiny energy factories inside cells, which are passed down from the mother. The condition can lead to stroke-like episodes, seizures, memory loss, dementia, muscle weakness, hearing loss, and short stature. Symptoms often appear after normal early childhood development and can also include frequent headaches, learning difficulties, and nerve damage. 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Following the deaths of two people in Italy from West Nile virus earlier this year, holidaymakers may have concerns about the safety of their summer travel plans. The Italian Health Ministry announced on Thursday (24 July) that, alongside the two deaths, 32 other cases of the virus, mainly in the Lazio Region, have been confirmed in 2025 so far. West Nile virus (WNV) is typically found in birds. It is commonly transmitted to humans through the bites of bird-biting mosquitoes. In May, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detected signs of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes within the UK for the first time, prompting increased disease surveillance. Although the risk to the UK remains 'very low', here's everything travellers need to know to protect against West Nile virus. What is West Nile virus? West Nile virus is a virus that can be transmitted to humans via bites from infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes get WNV by feeding on infected birds, but people and animals can also get the virus if they come into contact with infected animal blood or tissues. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that around 1 in 150 people who are infected will develop a severe illness that 'can be life threatening' such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis. Where is West Nile Virus found? The virus – from the same family as dengue and yellow fever – was first detected in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. Since then, various regions across the globe, such as Europe, Africa, the Middle East, West and Central Asia, and North America, as well as South America, the USA and Australia, have reported cases. Since a 1996 outbreak in Romania, cases have been identified in European countries including France, Italy and Portugal, says UKHSA. Transmission levels of West Nile virus are at their highest in summer when mosquito activity is high. Is West Nile virus in the UK? In May, fragments of West Nile virus genetic material were collected in mosquitoes in Britain for the first time. However, there have been no locally acquired human cases of WNV reported in the UK aside from seven travel-associated reports since 2000, says UKHSA advice. The health agency added that the probability of a human outbreak in the UK is considered 'very low'. Dr Arran Folly, arbovirologist at APHA and lead of the Vector-Borne RADAR project, said: 'The detection of West Nile virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape, where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas.' What are the symptoms of West Nile virus? Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. However, the WHO says that 20 per cent of people will develop a fever with other symptoms, including: Headache High fever Neck stiffness Disorientation Nausea and vomiting Muscle weakness Advice from UKHSA says: 'Those aged over 50 years old, or with underlying medical conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease) are at greatest risk of severe disease.' Is there a vaccine? There is currently no vaccine or specific medicine available for human use against the West Nile virus. According to the WHO, any treatment 'focuses on relieving symptoms and supportive care'. If infected, the health organisation recommends: In severe cases, patients are hospitalised to receive IV fluids and pain medication. How can I protect myself from West Nile virus? Taking the usual package of precautions against mosquito bites will lower the risk of WNV for travellers. WHO advice says this includes wearing light, long clothing, using window screens and mosquito repellents, alongside sleeping in an air-conditioned room. Further preventative steps to prevent mosquitoes breeding around your home include the removal of stagnant water and regularly cleaning water storage containers.
