One Health Heroes, July 1, 2025: Mosquito-Borne Threats You Should Know About

As summer heat arrives, so do the bugs—and the dangers they carry. In this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Sorenson kicks us off with breaking news on avian influenza and screwworm control, then Dr. Rothfeldt walks us through the full spectrum of mosquito-borne threats—from West Nile to emerging Oropouche virus—and shows why protecting people and pets must go hand-in-hand.

 

🌎 What you'll learn in this episode:

• The latest updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and USDA vaccine proposals

• A breakdown of the USDA's 5-pronged strategy to stop Screwworm at the border

• How the sterile fly technique is being used to protect livestock and wildlife

• Why West Nile virus, EEE, Cache Valley virus, and other mosquito-transmitted threats are a growing concern across the U.S.

• The impact of global dengue outbreaks on local transmission risks in places like Florida, Arizona, and California

• A look at the emerging Oropouche virus and its parallels to Zika

• The critical importance of heartworm prevention for pets—especially in high-risk areas

• Tips for protecting yourself and your pets from mosquito bites this summer

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🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned

• 🐛 Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG)
  Learn about the sterile fly technique and eradication efforts:
  https://www.copeg.org/en/produccion/

• 🦟 CDC Vector-Borne Disease Overview
  Detailed information on mosquito-borne viruses in the U.S.:
  https://www.cdc.gov/vector-borne-diseases/index.html

• 💉 USDA HPAI Vaccine Strategy (coverage via Reuters)
  https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/usda-develops-potential-plan-vaccinate-poultry-bird-flu-2025-06-20/

• 🧪 CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council) – for veterinary parasite prevention guidance:
  https://www.capcvet.org

• 🧑‍⚕️ CDC ZOHU Calls (Zoonoses & One Health Updates for Veterinarians)
  Free monthly CE webinars, Listserv
  https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/php/zohu/index.html#:~:text=Zoonoses%20%26%20One%20Health%20Updates%20(ZOHU)%20Calls%20are%20one%2D,animal%2Dhuman%2Denvironment%20interface.