"More U.S. Counties Are Finding Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes"

"With the summer mosquito season in full swing in many U.S. states, a new report shows a significant increase in counties across the South that have reported mosquitoes capable of spreading Zika and related viruses.

Two types of mosquitoes are the primary transmitters of Zika, dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya viruses. Based on updated data collected through 2016, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 38 additional counties — primarily in Texas but as far north as Illinois — documented the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, Zika's main vector. That's an increase of 21 percent compared with an earlier 2016 survey.

Although Zika has faded from the headlines, researchers say the latest findings highlight the need for continued and improved mosquito surveillance. Accurate and up-to-date information on the insects' distribution has been difficult to obtain because of the patchwork system of vector control at local levels. In some places, one employee may be responsible for snow removal as well as mosquito control in what one expert described as 'Chuck in a truck.'"

Lena H. Sun reports for the Washington Post June 20, 2017.