Mosquito-borne illnesses are spiking across the world

A rare virus spread by mosquitoes has killed five people in the US this year. The latest death, announced on 27 August, occurred in New Hampshire and is the state’s first known case of the virus since 2014. Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont and Wisconsin have each reported a case as well. The situation has become so concerning that some towns have closed parks after dusk – peak mosquito-biting hours – and restricted outdoor activities and public events.

Eastern equine encephalitis, which…