Why Some People May Attract Mosquitoes | September 9, 2024

Summary

This week on CNN 10, the spotlight is on mosquito-borne illnesses like Triple E and West Nile Virus, which have hospitalized several individuals in the Northeast United States, with one fatality. Communities are implementing protective measures due to the increased risk during dusk and dawn. The script also addresses the intensifying landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, causing infrastructure threats and prompting a state of emergency. Additionally, the return of Boeing's Starliner capsule from the International Space Station after a three-month stay is covered, along with its technical issues and the significance of the commercial crew program. The segment concludes with a 10 out of 10 home site featuring a 3D printed, tornado and fire-resistant home, and a fun fact about Kansas being the Sunflower State.

Takeaways

• 🦟 Northeastern US communities are experiencing a rise in mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile and Triple E, with one death reported.
• 🏥 Hospitals are seeing an increase in cases of rare and sometimes deadly mosquito-borne diseases.
• 🌡️ Symptoms of Triple E include sudden headaches, high fever, chills, and vomiting, with severe cases potentially leading to seizures and comas.
• 📈 The CDC has identified six cases of Triple E across five states, indicating a regional spike in this mosquito-borne disease.
• 🌆 Communities are implementing voluntary dusk-to-dawn curfews and closing recreational areas to reduce exposure to infected mosquitoes.
• 🌤️ Climate change is believed to be a contributing factor to the increase in mosquito and tick-borne infections over the past decade.
• 🧪 There are currently no widely available vaccines for mosquito-borne diseases, making personal protection measures crucial.
• 🌍 Malaria and Dengue have also been detected in Texas and Florida, highlighting a broader issue with mosquito-borne diseases.
• 🏠 In Southern California, affluent communities are grappling with landslides that threaten homes and infrastructure, exacerbated by heavy rainfall.
• 🚀 The Boeing Starliner capsule returned to Earth after a longer-than-planned stay at the International Space Station due to technical issues.
• 🏡 A 3D printed home, capable of withstanding tornadoes and fires, was showcased as an innovative approach to construction.

Q & A

What is the primary concern in the Northeast United States communities mentioned in the script?

The primary concern is the spread of rare and sometimes deadly mosquito-borne viruses like West Nile and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), which have led to hospitalizations and even a death.

What are the first symptoms of Triple E virus?

The first symptoms of Triple E virus can include sudden headaches, high fever, chills, and vomiting.

How has the CDC responded to the mosquito-borne illnesses this year?

The CDC has identified six cases of Triple E in five states: Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

What measures have communities taken to protect residents from mosquito-borne diseases?

Communities have begun voluntary curfews, closed recreational and sports fields at dusk and dawn, and rescheduled or moved activities indoors.

Why are scientists concerned about the increase in mosquito and tick-borne infections?

Scientists are concerned because climate change and human activity have led to an increase in mosquito and tick-borne infections over the past decade.

What is the most common mosquito-borne infection in the US?

The most common mosquito-borne infection in the US is the West Nile Virus.

Why are some people bitten more by mosquitoes than others?

Some people are bitten more by mosquitoes due to their distinctive odor, which consists of chemicals that mosquitoes can sense.

What advice does Dr. Sanjay Gupta give to prevent mosquito bites?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta suggests using a fan to blow away carbon dioxide, avoiding dark colors like reds and oranges, and using insect spray with DEET or picaridin.

What is the situation in Rancho Palos Verdes regarding landslides?

Rancho Palos Verdes is experiencing active but slow-moving landslides that have recently sped up due to record amounts of rain, causing roads to buckle and homes to be partially swallowed by the ground.

What is the connection between climate change and the landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes?

Climate change is believed to be contributing to heavier rainfall and more powerful storms, which in turn is causing landslides to become more frequent.

What was the outcome of the Boeing Starliner capsule's mission to the International Space Station?

The Boeing Starliner capsule experienced thruster issues and returned to Earth without the astronauts on board, and now NASA and Boeing need to address these issues before it can be certified for routine trips.

What is the significance of the 3D printed home mentioned in the script?

The 3D printed home is significant because it was built in less than a week, is made of a special concrete that makes it tornado and fire-resistant, and represents an innovative approach to construction.

Outlines

00:00

🦟 Mosquito-Borne Illnesses on the Rise in the US

The script from CNN 10 discusses the increasing cases of mosquito-borne illnesses in the Northeast United States, particularly focusing on the Triple E virus. The virus, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, has led to hospitalizations and even a death. Symptoms include sudden headaches, high fever, chills, and vomiting, with severe cases potentially leading to seizures and comas. The CDC has identified six cases across five states. Communities are taking preventive measures such as voluntary curfews and closing recreational areas during peak mosquito activity times. The script also addresses the role of climate change and human activity in the rise of such infections and highlights the lack of vaccines, emphasizing the importance of avoiding mosquito bites.

05:01

🏠 Landslides Threaten Homes in Southern California

The second paragraph details the landslide crisis in Rancho Palos Verdes, a community south of Los Angeles. The area, known for its ocean views, has experienced slow-moving landslides since the 1950s, but recent heavy rainfall has accelerated the process. The script describes the impact on infrastructure, with roads buckling and homes being damaged. The situation has led to the discontinuation of natural gas services and power cuts in over 200 homes due to the risk posed by shifting ground to utility lines. The narrative includes residents' concerns and the challenges faced by local leaders in addressing the unprecedented land movement. The script also mentions the declaration of a state of emergency by Governor Gavin Newsom in response to the crisis.

Keywords

💡Mosquito-borne illnesses

Mosquito-borne illnesses are diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. In the video, it is mentioned that mosquitoes in the Northeast United States are causing the spread of rare and sometimes deadly viruses such as West Nile and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). The script discusses how these illnesses are affecting communities, leading to hospitalizations and even death, highlighting the severity and the public health concern associated with these diseases.

💡Triple E

Triple E, or Eastern equine encephalitis, is a rare but serious mosquito-borne virus. The video script reports six cases of Triple E in five states, indicating an increase in its occurrence. The term is significant as it exemplifies the health risks associated with mosquito bites and the need for communities to take preventive measures.

💡West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that is more commonly found in the US compared to other mosquito-borne viruses like Triple E. The video script mentions it as the most common mosquito-borne infection in the country, emphasizing the prevalence of this illness and its role in the broader context of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.

💡Climate change

Climate change is discussed in the video as a contributing factor to the increase in mosquito and tick-borne infections. The script suggests that human activity has led to changes in climate patterns, which in turn has resulted in more mosquitoes and the spread of diseases they carry. This keyword is central to understanding the environmental factors influencing the rise in mosquito-borne illnesses.

💡Voluntary curfews

Voluntary curfews are measures taken by communities to protect residents from mosquito bites, especially during the times when mosquitoes are most active, which are dusk and dawn. The video script describes how communities have implemented these curfews and closed recreational and sports fields to reduce the risk of infection, showcasing community efforts to combat the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

💡Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a gas that humans exhale, and the video script explains that mosquitoes are attracted to it. This attraction is used to explain why some individuals, like the person from San Francisco mentioned in the script, might be bitten more frequently. Understanding this concept helps viewers grasp one of the biological mechanisms behind mosquito attraction.

💡Landslides

Landslides are a geological phenomenon where land masses move down a slope, often due to natural processes or human activities. The video script discusses landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, which have been exacerbated by heavy rainfall and climate change. This keyword is important for understanding the environmental challenges and the impact of climate change on human settlements.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. In the video, the script mentions how landslides are threatening basic infrastructure like roads, water, and sewer lines, illustrating the vulnerability of human-made systems to natural disasters and the challenges in maintaining them.

💡International Space Station (ISS)

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space habitat where astronauts from different countries conduct scientific research. The video script mentions the ISS in the context of the Boeing Starliner capsule's mission, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and technological advancements in space exploration.

💡3D printed home

A 3D printed home is a house constructed using a 3D printer and special concrete. The video script features a story about a 3D printed home that was built in less than a week, showcasing the potential of new technologies in revolutionizing construction and providing quick, efficient, and potentially cost-effective housing solutions.

💡Commercial crew program

The commercial crew program is an initiative by NASA to collaborate with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. The video script discusses this program in relation to the Boeing Starliner capsule, emphasizing the importance of having backup systems and redundancy in space travel to ensure the safety of astronauts.

Highlights

Mosquitoes in the Northeast United States are spreading rare and sometimes deadly viruses like West Nile and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

One person has died from mosquito-borne virus infections, highlighting the severity of the issue.

Symptoms of Triple E, a mosquito-borne virus, include sudden headaches, high fever, chills, and vomiting.

Severe cases of mosquito-borne illnesses can lead to seizures and comas, indicating the potential seriousness of these diseases.

The CDC has identified six cases of Triple E in five states, signifying a regional outbreak.

Communities have implemented voluntary curfews and closed recreational areas at dusk and dawn to reduce mosquito exposure.

Climate change and human activity are contributing to an increase in mosquito and tick-borne infections.

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne infection in the US, but cases of other diseases like Triple E are rising.

Malaria and Dengue have also been detected in Texas and Florida, expanding the range of mosquito-borne diseases.

There are no widely available vaccines to prevent mosquito-borne infections, emphasizing the need for prevention strategies.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains that mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and have a preference for certain odors and colors.

Landslides in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, are threatening homes due to record rainfall and climate change.

Residents in affected areas have had their gas and power services discontinued due to the risk of further landslides.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the city due to the accelerated land movement.

The Boeing Starliner capsule returned to Earth after a nearly 3-month stay at the International Space Station.

NASA and Boeing are working on resolving issues that arose during the Starliner's test flight.

The commercial crew program aims to provide redundancy in space travel, ensuring backup systems are in place.

A 3D printed home in Kansas demonstrates the potential of new construction methods, offering tornado and fire resistance.

Pretty Prairie High School in Kansas is recognized for its sunflower-themed activities, aligning with the state's agricultural focus.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello sunshine I'm KY wire ready to

start another week with you covering the

news so we can stay informed on what's

happening in the world in 10 minutes

time right here on CNN 10 we're going to

start today in communities in the

Northeast United States where mosquitoes

aren't just being your typical

summertime nuisance they're causing rare

and sometimes deadly virus to spread now

over the last several weeks more people

have become hospitalized by mosquito

born viruses like West Nile and Eastern

ecoin incilius or tripo one person has

even died from the illness coming from

these infections so when infected

mosquitoes bite humans and pass along

viruses like Triple E the first symptoms

can be things like sudden headaches high

fever chills and vomiting severe cases

though rare can cause seizures and Comas

this year the CDC has identified six

cases of Triple E in five states

Massachusetts Wisconsin New Jersey

Vermont and New Hampshire since the

mosquitoes that spread Triple E are most

active at Dusk and Dawn communities have

begun voluntary curfews to protect

residents recreational and Sport Fields

were closed at these times and

activities were rescheduled or moved

indoors fortunately many types of

mosquito born illnesses don't regularly

occur in the US but scientists think

that may be changing over time because

of the climate change human activity has

led to an increase in mosquito and

tickborne infections over the past

decade the most common mosquito born

infection in the US is West Nile Virus

but we're seeing cases of tripo Deni and

other viruses rise locally while states

in the Northeast and Upper Midwest are

experiencing this the most malaria and D

have also been detected in Texas and

Florida right now there are not widely

available vaccines to prevent these

mosquito born infections so the best

prevention is to not get bitten CNN's Dr

Sanjay Gupta explains and gets into some

viewer questions with some communities

across the country now on high alert

because of these reports of several

mosquito born illnesses like Triple E

and westnile virus we decided to ask all

of you our audience what questions they

had about mosquitoes and many of you had

questions like John in San Francisco who

wrote this I'm a mosquito magnet and a

group of friends I'll get dozens of

bites my friends only one or two a piece

I've used mosquito repellants but they

only help a little bit is there anything

I can do beside stay

indoors well John you know why some of

us are bitten more than others is an

age-old question what we're learning it

probably has a lot to do with your odor

and that doesn't mean necessarily bad

odor but rather a distinctive odor for a

mosquito because of the chemicals they

can sense and candidly there's not much

you can do about that but for everyone

else including you keep in mind that

mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon

dioxide we breathe out we sort of get

this carbon dioxide bubble so when

you're breathing hard for example you're

going to be more likely to attract

mosquitoes having a little fan to blow

the CO2 away that can help there's also

some science that shows mosquitoes

actually like darker colors particularly

Reds and oranges so you may want to

avoid those colors remember that

mosquitoes really don't like the Sun so

they're going to come out at Dusk and

Dawn if you do go out use an insect

spray with the ingredients DEET or

picaridin hope that helps John in

coastal Southern California residents in

an affluent Community are dealing with

devastating landslides that are

threatening their homes 30 Mi south of

Los Angeles Rancho Palos veres has seen

active but slow moving landslides since

the 1950s but they've recently sped up

partly thanks to record amounts of rain

in Southern California over the last two

years now as roads buckle and homes lie

partially swallowed by the ground

scientists warned landslides are set to

become more frequent as the climate

fuels heavier rainfall and more powerful

storms it's as if the Earth is wiping

away what's been built upon it I'm no

geologist but when you see the road

turning into a roller coaster you know

something's wrong here in Rancho palis

veres an affluent Community coveted for

its expansive Pacific Ocean Vistas the

land is sliding

dangerously this is

unprecedented no one knows really in a

way what to do while the land has always

slowly shifted Here Local leaders say

it's accelerated

tremendously unbelievable in the last

four months it's

constant I mean it's just what do you do

I we sitting here on a kga dynamite and

we can't go repair anything because the

ground continues to move so much so some

residents had their natural gas service

discontinued in July with more shut offs

recently added then in the last week

more than 200 homes had their power cut

indefinitely as the shifting ground

threatens utility lines on August 29th

the fire that occurred near narissa

Drive the land movement caused a power

line to fall to the ground and ignite a

small fire that fire was quickly

extinguished officials say but the

incident exposed the threat posed to

basic infrastructure including Water and

Sewer lines we are dealing with

incomprehensible amounts of Earth with

unimaginable movement pulling our

infrastructure in ways that it is not

designed or intended to move or resist

this level of dynamic activity allowing

officials to funnel resources toward the

emergency response Governor Gavin Nome

declared a state of emergency in the

city this week noting the land movement

accelerated significantly following the

20 23 and 24 severe storm events with

the land now sliding at an average of 9

to 12 in per week I think we're all

learning that there is no playbook for

an emergency like this

one 10 second trivia what is believed to

be the most expensive object ever built

Shanghai Tower International Space

Station notra Dame Cliff Cathedral Hong

Kong International

Airport at a total cost of more than 100

billion bucks the ISS holds the record

for most expensive object in

history after what was supposed to be an

8-day trip the Boeing Starliner capsule

is finally home from the International

Space Station nearly 3 months later the

spacecraft experienced Thruster issues

when delivering two NASA astronauts

Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams to the

space station in June it returned to

Earth without them on board now NASA and

Boeing have to start working on the

issues that came up during the test

flight before the space agency can deem

it ready to carry out routine trips to

the

ISS Boeing breathing a SI relief this

morning after Starliner successfully

landed in wh Sands New Mexico shortly

after midnight and all of the issues

that Starliner suffered while in Space

the Thruster failures the helium leaks

did not prove to be a problem when it

did the deorbit burn pumped the brakes

and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere

those were the critical Maneuvers that

NASA was so worried about uh if Butch

and sunny Williams Butch Willmore and

sunny Williams starliners crew had been

on board and so now Boeing and NASA are

going to be looking at all the data NASA

needs to decide if it's going to require

Boeing to conduct another crude flight

test before it's fully certified to

fairy NASA astronauts to and from the

International Space Station as for but

and

they're going to be up there until

February of 2025 before they hit a ride

back on a SpaceX crew Dragon capsule

that's essentially the backup here but

NASA administrator Bill Nelson says

that's what this program is all about

the commercial crew program it's about

having a backup system redundancy if one

spacecraft fails there's another

spacecraft run by a different company

that can bring these astronauts home so

uh this is what the commercial crew

program was designed for I just don't

think anybody thought that this backup

system would be tested quite as early as

it was

[Applause]

needed today's store getting a 10 out of

10 home site 3D printed home this house

was built by a 3D printer in less than a

week the builders had a grand floor plan

to turn a 3-in model into a, 1500 square

ft crib that has three bedrooms and two

bathrooms talk about a model home it

uses a special kind of concrete made for

the printing process which makes the

house tornado and fire resistant now

that is raising the roof of expectations

our shout out today goes to pretty

Prairie High School and pretty prairie

Kansas home of the Bulldogs we see you

fun fact I was today years old when I

learned Kansas is the Sunflower State

great climate for growing and harvesting

them and utilizing the seeds and oils

all right I got a bolt but I'll leave

you with a quote from Mary Shelly the

early 1800's novelist who wrote

Frankenstein the beginning is always

today make it an awesome one y'all and

we'll do it again tomorrow right here on

CNN 10

[Music]