Entomologist Stephen Dobson on releasing modified mosquitoes to fight disease

NPR's Scott Simons asks University of Kentucky entomologist Stephen Dobson about mosquito control using modified mosquitoes released into the wild.

The top 3

  1. Malaria: The Top Global Killer: Malaria is the deadliest mosquito-borne disease, causing an estimated 263 million cases and 597,000 deaths in 2023, with 95% of deaths occurring in Africa, primarily among children under 5.
  2. Dengue: Most Prevalent Viral Threat: Dengue is the most prevalent viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, with an estimated 100-400 million infections annually and 40,000 deaths, putting about half of the world's population at risk.
  3. Emerging & Re-emerging Threats: Chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile virus are significant emerging or re-emerging mosquito-borne threats, with chikungunya showing rapid spread and wide coverage since 2025.

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