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mosquito on a leaf

MIAMI — In the age-old war of human versus mosquitoes(link is external), the bugs have been winning. 

At least 700,000 people die every year from mosquito-borne diseases(link is external) such as malaria, dengue, West Nile and yellow fever. 

Global trade and climate change have helped disease-carrying species become established in places like Florida, California and Texas. In parts of the U.S., dengue is now a persistent problem. Last year, for the first time in decades, Florida(link is external) and Texas reported locally-acquired malaria cases. Maryland also had a case.

But by using bioengineering, scientists have developed tools they believe may help control and possibly eradicate mosquitoes that carry dengue, malaria and other diseases. Andrea Leal, the head of mosquito control(link is external) in the Florida Keys says, "The good news is we've got these emerging technologies that show great promise in reducing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes."

The Aedes aegypti mosquito loves to feed on people and it's become a significant health threat across the southern U.S. Leal's agency became the first in this country to partner(link is external) with a company, Oxitec(link is external), that's testing a new means of mosquito...