Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
10 December 2012 10:10
Genetically modified mosquitoes could be used to stop dengue fever in Florida
An army of genetically modified mosquitoes could be released in the Florida Keys in a bid to cut the risk of dengue fever.
The controversial strategy would see the release of non-biting male mosquitoes, genetically modified to pass on a birth defect that will kill their young before they can reproduce. It is hoped that after a few generations Key West's Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue fever, would be killed off. Planned by British firm Oxitec and mosquito control officials, the low-cost project aims to cut the risk of dengue fever in the tourist town without having to use pesticides. The plan needs Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval but some residents fear not enough research has been done to assess the risks of releasing thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes.
In 2009 and 2010 the Keys experienced 93 cases of dengue fever, highlighting the importance of travellers taking out medical travel insurance. Health officials had previously believed the viral disease, which causes severe flu-like symptoms and has no vaccine, had been eradicated in the US.
27 September 2016
Monarch Airlines says its flights are operating as normal amid fears the firm is in financial trouble.
[more...]
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.
09 September 2016
People travelling to regions affected by the Zika virus outbreak should practise safe sex for at least half a year upon their return, health leaders say.