Photo Credit: Marcelo Camargo / Agência Brasil You may have heard that the dengue mosquito ( Aedes aegypti ) is most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon. That’s true, but it doesn’t mean it clocks out at night. Indoors, especially in warm and humid spaces, the female mosquito keeps moving after dark. While you’re sleeping, she’s still looking for the right conditions to feed, and more importantly, to reproduce. And no, she’s not choosing her targets at rando

For a long time, arboviral diseases gained international media attention mainly during critical moments, when outbreaks drove case numbers sharply upward. Outside of these periods, the topic often faded from the spotlight. Today, that pattern is beginning to change—along with a more mature global understanding of how these diseases should be analyzed and addressed. An article published in the international journal ScienceDirect points out that dengue and chikungunya are expan

In 2026, the conversation around dengue entered a new phase. After years of research and development in the search for an effective vaccine, we now have two proven vaccination approaches: a two‑dose regimen and a single‑dose option . Contrary to what many people assume, the key question is no longer “Which one is better?” but rather “Which approach makes the most sense for each context?” The two‑dose vaccine offers a longer track record of protection and safety, supported b

Photo Credit: Lauren Bishop Scientific research indicates that populations of the Aedes aegypti mosquito are developing increased resistance to insecticides used in different parts of the world. This phenomenon has already been observed in multiple countries and is considered one of the current challenges in monitoring and controlling arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. A study published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports analyzed genetic data from

The way the dengue mosquito finds its “targets” is far from random. Recent scientific research shows that Aedes aegypti uses visual cues to guide its approach, and certain colors can make people and environments more attractive to the insect. A study published in the journal Nature Communications , led by researchers at the University of Washington, found that once the mosquito detects human presence, it becomes more responsive to specific colors. In the experiments, Aedes a

An epidemiological alert issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in February 2026 highlights a rise in chikungunya cases across the Americas, including the resurgence of transmission in regions that had gone years without virus circulation. The scenario makes it clear: arboviruses do not disappear — their intensity simply fluctuates over time. In 2025, more than 313,000 chikungunya cases were reported across the Americas, confirming the virus’s active circulatio

Photo credit: Marcelo Camargo / Agência Brasil Have you ever imagined a mosquito being born already infected? A recent study conducted by the Federal University of Goiás, based in Brazil, has confirmed the occurrence of vertical transmission—also known as transovarian transmission—of the Zika and Chikungunya viruses in Aedes aegypti . In other words, an infected female is capable of passing the virus directly to her eggs. In practice, the researchers collected mosquito eggs

Scientific research has been uncovering an unsettling behavior in dengue‑carrying mosquitoes when they become infected. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that the dengue virus can actually alter the behavior of Aedes aegypti , making the mosquito more persistent in its search for human hosts. According to the study, infected mosquitoes tend to bite more often and actively seek out new people—without increasing the amount of blood they consume. In

The dengue mosquito does not behave the same way throughout the day. Aedes aegypti has an internal biological clock that regulates its periods of greatest activity, increasing the risk of bites at specific times, mainly early in the morning and late in the afternoon. During these peak periods, the female mosquito becomes more sensitive to carbon dioxide (CO₂) released through human breathing. This gas acts as a signal that indicates the presence of a potential food source, p

A large-scale study conducted by Fiocruz, Brazil’s leading public health research institution, recognized globally for its scientific excellence, has revealed that arbovirus infections during pregnancy are linked to significant risks for childbirth and newborn health. The analysis of more than 6.9 million live births between 2015 and 2020 showed that diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti , such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, increase the likelihood of preterm birth, low bi

Vaccines are a major step forward in the fight against dengue, as they help protect people and reduce the risk of severe cases. But that doesn’t mean other strategies become unnecessary. Vaccines and mosquito traps don’t compete with each other—they address different parts of the same problem. Vaccination strengthens individual protection. Sustainable traps, on the other hand, act on the environment by helping reduce the presence of Aedes aegypti . Even with vaccination, the

Controlling Aedes aegypti , the mosquito responsible for spreading dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, requires strategies that accurately reflect the insect’s real behavior. A recent scientific study has revealed that biological agents can be transmitted between mosquitoes during mating, leading to the death of female mosquitoes after copulation. Researchers found that male mosquitoes contaminated with fungi commonly used in insect control are capable of passing these agents to f

A new study led by scientists from Mahidol University in Thailand, in partnership with the University of Cambridge in the UK, reveals that a significant portion of people infected with the dengue virus show no symptoms of the disease. While the body manages to contain the infection, the virus persists. In practice, this means dengue can circulate within a community even when official case numbers appear under control, and asymptomatic individuals can serve as a source of infe

As we enter 2026, concerns about a potential new wave of dengue outbreaks are mounting worldwide. The data from 2025 serves as a stark warning: turning the calendar does not end the dengue threat, which continues to demand constant global vigilance. In 2025, more than 4 million cases were reported across 101 countries , according to the World Health Organization. With 3.6 billion people living in at-risk areas, dengue remains one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne diseas

Much is said about how to avoid dengue, but misconceptions still create a false sense of security. In reality, these beliefs often fail to provide real protection. Below, we debunk some of the most common myths and reinforce what truly matters. Myth 1: “Dengue only occurs where there’s trash, debris, or sewage.” Why it’s a myth: The main factor isn’t garbage—it’s standing water, even in small amounts. Aedes aegypti thrives in plant saucers, bottle caps, gutters, vases, and

Chikungunya is often perceived as a disease marked by fever and severe joint pain. But recent scientific findings reveal that this virus can act in far more complex and dangerous ways than previously imagined, posing a global health concern that demands attention. Researchers have discovered that chikungunya can exploit the body’s own immune cells as a “Trojan horse” to cross protective barriers and reach the brain. By infecting monocytes—key defense cells—the virus uses infl

Detecting dengue-infected mosquitoes usually means capturing them and running lab tests—a slow, resource-heavy process that doesn’t reflect what’s happening in real time out in the environment. But new research from CSIRO Health & Biosecurity and Deakin University suggests there may be another way to spot infected mosquitoes: by simply watching how they fly. Using infrared cameras, researchers recorded the 3D movements of Aedes aegypti , the primary dengue vector. They then t

Mosquitoes may carry the virus, but humans carry the responsibility. When it comes to arboviruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, the conversation often centers on the mosquito. Yet, the real challenge lies in our habits, our perception of risk, and our willingness to act. Studies show that while awareness is widespread, action often falls short—and that gap is fueling the spread of these diseases. A UNICEF study in Brazil revealed that people know standing water is a ri

Stagnant water on a street in Havana, ideal conditions for the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue fever and chikungunya (Photo: Ernesto Mastrascusa/EFE) Cuba is facing a severe public health emergency as mosquito-borne arboviruses, particularly dengue and chikungunya, continue to spread. The country’s national director of epidemiology has reported that approximately 47,125 people are currently hospitalized with dengue or chikungunya. He has a

Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease once thought to be limited to tropical regions, is now making its way across continents. Transmitted mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the virus has triggered outbreaks in several European countries and the UK, hit record levels in China, and was recently confirmed as locally transmitted in the United States, specifically in New York State. Here at Aedes Mosquito Killers, we’ve been closely following this trend. The recent repor