In the southernmost tip of Texas, the city of Brownsville is quietly leading the fight against one of the most overlooked threats of climate change: mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquitoes have long plagued tropical regions, but in recent years, rising temperatures, increased rainfall, urban sprawl, and international travel have created a perfect storm for vector-borne illnesses to expand their reach—even into parts of the U.S. once considered low-risk.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Brownsville, a border city of 190,000, where local officials have built one of the nation’s most advanced mosquito surveillance systems. With a modest but dedicated team, the city deploys traps across neighborhoods, tests mosquitoes for viruses like Zika, dengue, and West Nile, and uses mapping software to coordinate targeted spraying and larvicide treatments.

Brownsville’s early detection of Zika in 2016 shocked the region into action. Since then, the city has remained proactive, even investing in a modular on-site lab to test mosquitoes quickly—something few cities can afford.

But the concern is not just local. The U.S. has seen vector-borne diseases double in the last 20 years. As the climate warms and mosquitoes spread, other cities may soon face the same challenges Brownsville is navigating today.

Experts say this is a national issue that requires more than reactive measures. Sustained investment in surveillance, public health education, mosquito control, and interagency coordination is needed to prevent outbreaks before they start.

🛡️ What You Can Do:

• Dump standing water weekly around your home
• Use EPA-approved repellent when outdoors
• Report mosquito activity or dead birds to your local vector control agency
• Stay informed about travel-related health risks