Science Source

More Mosquito Days Increasing Zika Risk in U.S.

Finds that in most of the country, rising temperatures and humidity since the 1980s have driven an increase in the number of days each year with ideal conditions for mosquitoes
Finds that warming temperatures lead to more evaporation, which puts more water vapor in the atmosphere and increases humidity
Analyzes how the number of days each year with ideal conditions for mosquitoes has been changing since 1980
Finds that most major cities in the country—76 percent—have seen an overall increase in days conducive for mosquitoes from 1980 to 2016, and many regions have seen the mosquito season increase by half a month or more
Finds that the top 25 cities that have seen the biggest increase in mosquito days since the 1980s are:
Finds that Florida cities face the greatest overall threat from mosquitoes; most of its major cities face hundreds of days each year with climate conditions that are ideal for these insects
Finds the top 25 U.S. cities with the longest average annual mosquito seasons are: