Mosquitos Disease Breakouts In Perspective from Your Local Epidemiologist

Don’t let mosquitos drain the last of summer fun

Mosquitos in the news

There is a lot of news about mosquitos and diseases right now:

So, what’s going on?

This is a “middle-of-the-road” season for some diseases.

Mosquito-borne diseases are not new to the U.S. They’ve remained relatively low in the mainland since the mid-20th century due to a nationwide campaign that effectively eradicated malaria through widespread insecticide spraying and other control measures, like draining swamps, using air conditioning, and providing quality healthcare.

West Nile is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. It is a fairly new disease—25 years ago, we didn’t have it around. But this year isn’t particularly bad. So far, in 2024, 235 cases have been reported to the CDC, which is similar (if not less) than in previous years.

West Nile cases over time, United States (Source: CDC)

Same with EEE—the rare disease that caused a death in New Hampshire. In the U.S., we’ve had 4 cases this year, which is about on par compared to previous years.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus cases, United States (Source: CDC)

Mosquito-borne diseases are most common during August and September. Mosquitos are cold-blooded, so transmission is a bit like a chemistry experiment. If it’s too cold (below ~16°C, or ~60°F), the mosquito life cycle slows down too much to spread disease. Closer to the “magic temperature” of ~25°C (77°F), mosquitos are happier—and diseases spread a little more easily from mosquito to human.

West Nile cases in the United States, by month, 1999-2024 (CDC)

But other mosquito diseases are on the rise. 

With warming temperatures and changing climates, evidence shows that the habitat of some mosquitos is migrating, thus increasing the number of cases in the U.S. There is also more global travel (humans bringing disease and mosquitos) and more land being developed.

For example, this year, there have been 2,782 locally acquired dengue fever cases in the U.S. (specifically in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Florida). While cases have slowly increased in the U.S., globally, they have exploded 8-fold since 2000.

We also see an increase in travel-related malaria cases over time. (See the previous YLE post on what drives this.)

Number of malaria cases — United States, 1972–2020. (Source: CDC)

So, how concerned should we be? 

While the spread of mosquito habitats is concerning, and there is much in the news, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. In the U.S., severe disease is rare in the grand scheme of “things trying to kill you every day.” Each year, they cause about 35 to 70 deaths combined and millions of infections (most of which are asymptomatic). In the rest of the world, however, mosquitos are the number one killer—more than one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases yearly.
  1. Risk is not uniform. For West Nile, the most impacted by severe disease are older adults (like Dr. Fauci) and immunocompromised. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to certain mosquito-borne diseases like Zika virus because it can be transmitted from mother to fetus, potentially causing birth defects. The biggest risk for Dengue is a second infection of dengue, causing a potentially deadly disease.

    Also, geographic risk is not uniform. This is because many different types of mosquitos; not all carry the same diseases. EEE is mainly found in the Eastern U.S. (hence the “east” in its name). West Nile virus is most commonly reported in the Central and Western U.S. Dengue fever is primarily a concern in tropical and subtropical regions.

Historical cases (Source: CDC; The darker the color, the more cases)

  1. There is a lot we can do. While many ideal strategies exist, we also need to be practical. Let’s face it—we can’t always limit our time outdoors during peak mosquito hours of dawn and dusk. The goal is to do what you can when you can.

    Your best personal defense? EPA-recommended insect repellents, especially those with DEET. They really do work. Apply (and reapply) if you’re headed outdoors. Fun fact: DEET repels insects without killing them. Importantly, it doesn’t harm beneficial insects like pollinators and doesn’t accumulate in ecosystems. 

    • We have over 60 years of research supporting DEET’s safety and effectiveness.
    • Picaridin is a popular alternative to DEET because it is effective and gentle on the skin.
    • Some people turn to oil of eucalyptus (OLE) as a “natural” alternative to synthetic repellents. While some data supports its use, OLE is typically less effective than DEET or picaridin. Interestingly, while often marketed as “chemical-free,” OLE contains up to 100 chemicals, whereas DEET is a single compound!

      Other strategies:

    • Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
    • Eliminate standing water.
    • Maintain your yard: Keep grass cut short and shrubs trimmed.
    • Use physical barriers: Install or repair screens on windows and doors.
    • Use fans outdoors: Mosquitos are weak flyers and have trouble navigating in the wind.

Bottom line

Mosquito bites can be more than just itchy annoyances; they can be gateways for potentially life-threatening diseases. But we’ve been dealing with these tiny buzzers for ages, and a few smart habits go a long way in keeping them at bay.

Love, YLE and JS

Big thanks to Dr. Miguel Arturo Saldaña—arbovirologist— for fact-checking late last night.

Dr. Jessica Steier is a public health scientist with expertise in policy evaluation. She also leads Unbiased Science—a science communication organization that provides practical and accessible health and science information to the public.

“Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, data scientist. During the day, she is a senior scientific consultant to a number of organizations, including the CDC. At night, she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support this effort, subscribe below:

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AUGUST 29– NEW LAW ON FREE LANCE PAY NEW YORK PROTECTS LONG-EXPLOITED FREE LANCE WORKERS FROM EMPLOYERS WHO DO NOT PAY THEM. DOUBLE DAMAGES POSSIBLE IF CHEATS DO NOT PAY UP

NEW YORK STATE LEADERS CELEBRATE AS FREELANCE ISN’T FREE LAW TO TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 28TH

WPCNR LABOR LAW JOURNAL. From Freelancers Union. August 29, 2024:

Following Successful Implementation of New York City Freelance Isn’t Free Law, Vital Protections for Freelancers to be Enacted Statewide

Law Guarantees Mandatory Contracts, 30-day Payment Terms, Protection Against Retaliation, Remedies and Legal Recourse

 

Albany, NY – Freelancers across New York State will soon have unprecedented legal protections against nonpayment and retaliation with the implementation of the Freelance Isn’t Free Law, effective on August 28th.

This landmark legislation builds on the success of New York City’s 2017 Freelance Isn’t Free Act and represents a significant step forward in ensuring that independent workers receive the compensation they deserve for their labor.

 

“All work must be paid work, no matter your classification as a worker or the industry you’re in,” said Rafael Espinal, Executive Director of Freelancers Union. “For too long, millions of freelancers who drive our economy have been overlooked, operating without the safety net or benefits afforded to traditional employees. As we usher in these historic protections in New York, it’s time for policymakers and the public to recognize freelancers for what they truly are: essential members of the workforce. The passage of these laws is just the beginning of a national movement to ensure that independent workers are protected from exploitation and treated with the dignity and fairness they deserve – they are the future of work, and their voices must be heard.”

 

“From domestic workers to journalists to home contractors, freelancers are an essential part of New York’s economy, and they deserve to get paid fully and fairly for their hard work,” said New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “The Freelance Isn’t Free Act will ensure these workers have clear written contracts, get paid on time, and are protected from discrimination. I was proud to support this legislation and I applaud Senator Gounardes, Assemblymember Bronson, and all those involved for their work to pass this legislation and empower my office to enforce this new law on behalf of freelancers across our state. No one should be able to exploit or mislead workers just because they work independently, and I’m proud that New York continues to lead the way in protecting workers’ rights.”

 

“Today, we make it clear that freelance workers can’t be pushed around or denied their rights — whether they live in Brooklyn, in Buffalo, or anywhere else in New York,” said New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “I wrote my Freelance Isn’t Free legislation with a simple idea in mind: all workers are entitled to dignity and respect. Whether you’re a contract electrician, a domestic worker or a freelance journalist, you deserve full, clear, and enforced labor protections.”

 

“The Freelance Isn’t Free law, which goes into effect today, is a historic step forward in protecting freelance workers, who are essential members of our workforce,” said New York State Assemblymember Harry Bronson, Chair, Labor Committee. “Through this law, we are clearly stating that New York values and respects their contributions to our economy. New York is home to one of the largest freelance workforces in America and these workers now have the tools and legal recourse to address non-payment or retaliation. I am proud of the work Senator Gounardes and I, with the support of the Freelancers Union, did to pass this through the New York legislature, and am thankful to the Governor for recognizing the value in ensuring that our freelance workers are protected by signing it into law.”

 

“Freelance workers are still workers. They still deal with pervasive wage theft that plagues the rest of New York’s workforce. As of today, however, freelancers statewide have stronger protections & legal remedies with the enactment of Freelance isn’t Free,” said New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, Chair, Labor Committee. “I’m proud that my committee played a role in making Freelance Isn’t Free law, and thank Senator Gounardes and Assembly Member Bronson for their tireless advocacy.”

 

“Freelancers, like all workers, deserve to be fairly compensated for their labor and treated with respect,” said New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “We’re proud to see New York City’s landmark Freelance Isn’t Free Act extended to freelancers across New York State. The success of the law here in our city is proof that expanding these vital protections to freelancers around the State will help prevent the exploitation of millions of New Yorkers.”

 

“Home to the largest population of independent contractors in the country, New York City’s freelance workers fuel our economy and deserve to be protected from wage theft,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “That’s why I partnered with the Freelancers Union to create and pass the City’s ‘Freelance Isn’t Free Act‘ in 2016, which gave groundbreaking protections to freelancers to ensure they are paid on time and in full. Because of this law, hundreds of independent contractors were able to recover millions of dollars from employers. I’m delighted to celebrate the enactment of Senator Gounardes’ state version of the bill, which will extend these critical and common-sense safeguards to gig workers across New York.”

 

“Freelancers are kept isolated, treated as employees at the mercy of the businesses and individuals who hire them without many of the associated benefits and guarantees an employer is supposed to provide,” said Larry Goldbetter, President of the National Writers Union. “That’s why it’s so important for freelancers to come together and organize for protections like the ones guaranteed by Freelance Isn’t Free. We are grateful to Senator Gounardes and Assembly Member Bronson for championing this legislation, as well as Attorney General Letitia James’ support in ensuring these new protections are enforceable so that freelancers can be paid on time for their work. We’re also proud of the work our allies—including the American Photographic Artists, the National Press Photographers Associations, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, staff media unions in the Writers Guild and NewsGuild, and more—have done to advocate for and expand Freelance Isn’t Free. With laws in New York and Illinois, several cities across the country, and soon the state of California, millions of freelancers will be covered by a variant of Freelance Isn’t Free. But this isn’t an end to the fight for freelance protections; it’s just the beginning.”

 

The Freelance Isn’t Free Law, championed by New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes and New York State Assembly Member Harry Bronson, was passed by the New York State Legislature to address the growing crisis of nonpayment among freelancers.

 

Freelancers make up nearly one-third of the United States workforce, and in New York State, they are an essential yet often overlooked segment of the economy. With more than 850,000 low-wage independent workers in New York State, the Freelance Isn’t Free Law addresses a significant gap in worker protection. From tech professionals to agricultural workers in Upstate New York, freelancers span every industry and geography in the state.

 

This legislation is particularly timely, given the rapid growth of the freelance workforce. The flexibility and autonomy that come with freelancing have attracted millions of workers, yet these benefits are often overshadowed by the persistent issue of nonpayment. Studies show that 71% of freelancers have struggled to collect payment at some point in their careers, with many experiencing significant financial strain as a result. The Freelance Isn’t Free Law is designed to alleviate this burden, providing freelancers with the legal tools they need to ensure they are paid promptly and in full.

 

The Freelance Isn’t Free Law will be enforced by the New York State Attorney General’s Office, which has been granted the authority to investigate violations and provide appropriate remedies. Freelancers who face nonpayment or retaliation will now have a clear and direct path to seek justice. Freelancers can file a complaint at ag.ny.gov/file-complaint.

 

The New York Freelance Isn’t Free Law guarantees:

  • Mandatory Contracts: Clients must provide a written contract for any freelance work valued at $800 or more within a 120-day period. The contract must outline the scope of work, payment rate, method, and due date. Failure to do so can result in a $250 penalty.

  • 30-Day Payment Terms: The law mandates clients must pay freelancers by the contract’s due date or within 30 days of work completion if no date is specified. Clients cannot offer faster payment in exchange for accepting less than the agreed amount.

  • Protections Against Retaliation: Freelancers are protected from retaliation by clients if they assert their rights under the law. This includes protection from threats, intimidation, and being denied future work opportunities for demanding payment or fair treatment. 

  • Legal Recourse and Double Damages: Freelancers who face nonpayment or retaliation have the right to seek legal recourse. The law provides for the recovery of double damages for unpaid work, as well as attorneys’ fees, making it financially viable for freelancers to pursue justice.

 

The Freelance Isn’t Free Law’s enactment in New York State marks a watershed moment for the freelance workforce and sets a powerful precedent for other states considering similar legislation. As the largest advocacy organization for freelancers in the U.S., Freelancers Union remains committed to fighting for the rights of independent workers and will continue to push for further protections at both the state and federal levels.

 

Since its implementation, New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act has proven highly effective in protecting freelancers from nonpayment. According to a five-year report from the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), the Navigation Program received 2,542 complaints between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, resulting in $2.9 million in recovered payments for at least 773 freelancers. The program has successfully helped freelancers recover owed payments, often without the need for litigation, demonstrating its critical role in safeguarding freelance workers’ rights in the city.

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AUGUST 29–Incorporating Edgemont: Should we or Shouldn’t We? Objections Only Will Be Heard

Edgemont Incorporation Hearing Notice

Pursuant to the New York State Village Law, a hearing will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 2 pm at Town Hall (177 Hillside Ave) regarding  a petition for incorporation of the proposed village of Edgemont.   Subsequent to the petition being filed, a notice of this hearing was posted and published pursuant to the Village Law, and an adjourned hearing date of September 18th at 7:30pm has also been noticed.

The purpose of the hearings is, according to the Village Law, to “hear objections which may be presented as to the legal sufficiency of the petition for incorporation.”  No testimony is necessary or permitted in support of the petition’s sufficiency – the petition speaks for itself. Only objections will be heard at this hearing.

If there are any objections to the petition, the Village Law requires that any and all objections “must be in writing and signed by one or more residents qualified to vote for town offices a town in which all or part of such territory of the proposed village is located.”  That means qualified voters in the Town of Greenburgh may voice their objections to the petition.

It is preferable for objections to be in writing, but if someone is asserting an objection verbally, then, the Village Law requires that their ‘[t]estimony as to objections may be taken at the hearing which shall be reduced to writing and subscribed by those testifying.”   In this regard, a transcript of the proceedings will be made.

Neither Supervisor Feiner nor anyone present may comment upon any of the objections made. 

A record will be made and after the hearing today and the adjourned meeting on September 18th, Supervisor Feiner will review the petition and the objections and issue a decision as to the legal sufficiency of the petition as is required under the Village Law.

Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner

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