Brand & Martinez for September 12, 2012
Climate change may mean more mosquitoes, and diseases
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Mosquito larvae are seen in a puddle of water next to a creek on June 29, 2012 in Pleasant Hill, California. As reports of mosquitoes with West Nile virus are increasing across the country and several people have been confirmed to be infected by the potentially dangerous disease, the Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District is testing mosquito larvae found in standing water throughout the county and is using mosquito fish and BVA Larvacide oils to eradicate the pest.
It's mosquito season, and that means the West Nile virus is back. The Midwest outbreak this summer is the worst in US history, with 50 deaths so far in Texas alone.
Fewer people have gotten sick in California, but the disease showed up here earlier than usual. And scientists are concerned that as the climate warms, West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses will gain a stronger foothold here. Reporter Molly Samuel explains.
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