M4D1 NS

Recently, scientists have confirmed that the Zika virus is implicated in the dramatic rise in catastrophic birth defects in infants of mothers who are infected by this mosquito borne virus. The first confirmed cases were in Brazil, but the mosquito that carries this virus is widespread around the world in warm climates, including the southern states of the U.S. This species of mosquito is also known to transmit other disease viruses. As our planet warms, this species has an opportunity to increase its range, bringing additional disease threats to the U.S. We do not currently have many medicines to fight viruses, as we do with bacterial infections (antibiotics), so the scientific research efforts have been focused on the mosquito itself to stop the spread of this disease. Genetically engineered male mosquitoes have been developed, which cause the eggs of the females they mate with to be unable to hatch. Several different companies have slightly different genetic modifications that also prevent the mosquitoes from breeding or hatching live young. Millions of these GE males have been released in Brazil and talks are underway to release these mosquitoes in Florida, as well.