West Nile Virus Hits Utah

The Utah County Health Department confirmed the season’s first mosquito pool to test positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), with the sample collected near Lake Shore, Utah, according to a recent press release.

Health officials reported that they tested the area twice more following the initial result and found no additional positive samples. They plan to continue monitoring the site closely as mosquito season progresses.

This marks another instance of mosquito-borne disease detection in the state. In August 2023,  Utah health departments reported the presence of the St. Louis encephalitis virus in southern Utah. In the same report, 170 mosquito pools across the state tested positive for WNV.

Mosquitoes play a major role in transmitting diseases such as WNV, Malaria, Zika and Dengue fever, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While public health agencies have long relied on control strategies such as insecticides and habitat reduction, these methods have shown limited long-term success, particularly in remote and resource-limited areas.

As mosquitoes continue to pose significant risks to public health, scientists around the world are intensifying efforts to find more effective methods of control. Among the approaches gaining attention is genetic engineering, a rapidly advancing field that offers the potential to reduce or even eliminate certain mosquito populations responsible for spreading these diseases.

Genetic engineering

Recent advancements in genetic engineering, such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR), utilize a naturally occurring mechanism that combines the Cas-9 protein, which cuts DNA, with a guide RNA that identifies the specific DNA sequence to be edited.

Mosquitoes spread disease by becoming infected with parasites or viruses, which they can then transmit to humans through bites. In the case of malaria, only female mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the parasite.

Research shows that scientists could use genetic engineering tools like CRISPR to alter the sex-determining gene in mosquitoes, promoting the development of males over females. Over time, this genetic bias could lead to a collapse of the mosquito population, significantly reducing or potentially eradicating the species responsible for malaria transmission.

An article from The Scientist reports on the work of Dr. Omar Akbari, a professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, San Diego, who is actively developing CRISPR-based strategies to control mosquito populations.

“When the mosquito gets infected with a virus, the CRISPR machinery cuts the viral RNA sequences, resulting in collateral activity that reduces the mosquito’s fitness and ultimately kills the mosquito,” Akbari said to The Scientist. “Ideally, we want to multiplex the CRISPR machinery to target all mosquito-transmitted viruses that affect humans.”

Other approaches to disease

In 2021, Utah State University biologist Norah Saarman published research on the use of machine learning to track mosquito movement.

“Using our machine-learning model and satellite imagery provided by NASA, we combined spatial data with existing genetic data to pinpoint the mosquitoes’ movement patterns,” Saarman explained in Utah State Today. “For example, our data show that mosquitoes are drawn to human transportation networks, suggesting that activities like plant nursery operations may be unintentionally relocating these insects to new areas.”

Additionally, studies by Stanford University found that protected tree growth and cover indicate a positive relationship with mosquito prevention, which therefore decreases the spread of disease.

Future of WNV in Utah

As climate temperatures rise, experts predict mosquito populations will grow, increasing the risk of disease transmission. While researchers continue developing long-term solutions, individuals can take preventive measures to reduce their chances of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses.

The Utah County Health Department recommends:

  • Reduce Breeding Sites:
    • Mosquitoes breed in still water. Inspect your property each week and get rid of any items that collect water, such as buckets, plant pots, birdbaths, tarps, old tires and blocked gutters.
  • Stay Protected Outside:
    • Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, particularly during early morning and evening hours.
    • When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
    • Make sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

By combining cutting-edge research with simple, everyday precautions, both individuals and institutions can play a role in protecting public health.

a.iyer@dailyutahchronicle.com

@anjaliiyer6.bsky.social

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