Mosquito-borne Diseases - Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) (.gov)

New global surveillance data reveal dramatic increases in reported bluetongue and West Nile fever events, raising concerns about climate change, expanding disease territories, and the future of animal health. The world's disease map is changing, and veterinarians are being urged to pay attention. From biting midges carrying bluetongue virus across Europe to mosquitoes spreading West Nile fever, vector-borne diseases are emerging in new regions, creating growing challenges for animal health professionals, livestock producers, and public health officials. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) issued a warning on October 9, 2026, calling for stronger disease surveillance, earlier detection, and better international cooperation as reports of several vector-borne diseases continue to climb. An analysis of information submitted through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) reveals a particularly striking increase in reported exceptional epidemiological events since 2023. The findings suggest that shifting environmental conditions, changing vector populations, and animal movements are reshaping where certain infectious diseases can spread.

TRENTON, NJ – State officials are urging residents to continue to take simple, proactive steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne illness. To date in 2026, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is reporting 26 cases of West Nile virus (WNV), including the State’s first confirmed death. Of these, 19 individuals have experienced neurological illness, and 69 percent of all cases have occurred in persons 60 years of age and older. Fourteen of the WNV cases became ill in the last week of August or in September, and several more cases are currently under investigation. Monmouth County has reported the highest number of cases (6), followed by Mercer (4) and Camden (3) counties.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) could transform diabetes management for millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes who don't take insulin, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The clinical trial found that adults using CGMs spent approximately five additional hours each day within their target blood sugar range compared with those receiving routine care. Nearly twice as many CGM users also achieved an A1c level below 7%, a common treatment goal for people with diabetes.