Insects - Page 2

Health August 7

Dangerous tick-borne virus causes brain damage in vulnerable young patient

A Boston baby is hospitalized with seizures and brain damage after a tick bite on Martha's Vineyard may have led to Powassan virus, which transmits faster than Lyme disease.

Health August 6

Mosquito-borne virus spreading through China causes high fever, joint pain

China is battling a widespread chikungunya outbreak using drones, insecticides and quarantine measures, as a mosquito-borne virus has infected over 7,000 people in Guangdong.

Science August 6

Tarantulas are on the move and will swarm during mating season in certain states

Tarantula mating season has led to increased spider sightings in Southwestern U.S. states as males leave their burrows to find females, though the spiders are not aggressive to humans.

Travel August 2

Radioactive wasp nest discovered by workers at former nuclear bomb site

Workers at South Carolina's Savannah River Site, a nuclear facility, found a radioactive wasp nest with radiation levels 10 times higher than federal regulations allow.

Health July 31

Rare tick-borne virus causing neurological symptoms diagnosed in Northeastern state

Rare Powassan virus case in Maine highlights serious tick-borne illness with no vaccine or treatment, causing neurological symptoms and potential fatality.

Health July 29

Doctors reveal key signs of Lyme disease as tick season intensifies across US

Lyme disease from deer ticks can cause complications if untreated, with symptoms appearing weeks after infection. Experts share tips for treatment and prevention.

Viruses July 26

Health officials alarmed by unprecedented July spike in West Nile-infected mosquitoes in 2 major cities

Mosquitoes in all seven Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro counties in Minnesota tested positive for West Nile virus, and over 25% of pools show infection rates typical of late August.

Travel July 14

Destructive bug infestation threatens historic 1,000-year-old book collection

Restoration experts at Hungary's Pannonhalma Archabbey are fighting to save thousands of historic books from drugstore beetles that have caused an unprecedented infestation.

Travel July 8

Massive bee swarm sends three people to hospital in critical condition, 24 injured

Twenty-four people were injured during a 30-minute bee attack in the French alpine town of Aurillac, with three victims initially in critical condition now improving.

Health July 2

Federal government plans to air-drop sterile flies over Texas to fight flesh-eating maggots

USDA combats flesh-eating New World Screwworm by breeding sterilized flies for release over Mexico and Texas, with a new fly factory planned for 2026.

Health June 28

Billionaire's death after swallowing bee raises questions about rare cardiac reaction

Cardiologists discuss the rare possibility of bee-related cardiac events after Indian businessman Sunjay Kapur reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack swallowing an insect during a polo match.