Slavery shipments played a role in the emergence of Zika and Yellow Fever

About the episode

The Aedes Egyptii, now called the Yellow Fever Mosquito, was once a harmless creature. Due to the changing climate on the African Savannah 5000 years ago, he has become an anthropophile, dependent on human blood. Slavery transports from West Africa to the Americas created a new variant of the mosquito 500 years ago, researchers write in Science. To this day, this variant is responsible for spreading diseases such as Yellow Fever and Zika.

Mosquito expert Bart Knols explains how the researchers proceeded and he emphasizes that he is hopeful: if we want to, we can eradicate the mosquito.