What virus has recently been detected in New York?

The chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness typically found in tropical regions, has been detected in Long Island, New York.

How are mosquito-borne diseases affecting the United States?

Diseases once confined to tropical climates are now spreading to the U.S., posing serious health and economic risks. This trend is driven by factors like warming temperatures, expanding cities, and migrating insect species.

What advice does the PAHO Director have for the U.S. to combat mosquito-borne illnesses?

The PAHO Director urges the U.S. to learn from the experience of Latin American countries in managing mosquito-borne threats, including strategies for surveillance, vector control, and outbreak response.

Home / Health / Mosquito-Borne Virus Spreads to New York, Experts Warn of Growing Threat

Mosquito-Borne Virus Spreads to New York, Experts Warn of Growing Threat

17 Nov

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Summary

Chikungunya virus, usually found in tropical regions, has arrived in suburban New York
Diseases once confined to tropics are now spreading to the U.S., posing serious health and economic risks
PAHO Director calls for adopting Latin America's strategies to prevent and control mosquito-borne illnesses

Mosquito-Borne Virus Spreads to New York, Experts Warn of Growing Threat

As of November 17, 2025, a concerning trend has emerged in the United States, with tropical diseases once confined to other regions now spreading across the country. A recent case in Long Island, New York, has highlighted the arrival of the chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness typically found in East Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, but rarely seen in suburban America.

The chikungunya virus causes fever and extreme joint pain, and its presence in New York is part of a larger pattern. Diseases that were once limited to tropical climates are now infiltrating the U.S., putting more people at risk. For years, countries across Latin America and the Caribbean have battled these same mosquito-borne threats and have developed effective strategies to manage them.