Iceland Loses Mosquito-Free Status Following Discovery in Kiðafell

Iceland Loses Mosquito-Free Status Following Discovery in Kiðafell
Above: A mosquito in Montlouis-sur-Loire, central France, on Oct. 21, 2022. Image copyright: Guillame Souvant/Getty Images

The Spin

Climate-concerned narrative

Climate change has turned Iceland into a mosquito breeding ground, marking a dangerous milestone in global warming's relentless march. Rising temperatures are making the Arctic nation hospitable to disease-carrying insects that threaten to spread tropical diseases like dengue and Zika to previously safe regions. This discovery proves climate change is accelerating faster than predicted, with Iceland warming four times faster than the rest of the northern hemisphere.

Climate-skeptic narrative

The mosquito discovery in Iceland isn't necessarily linked to climate change and experts urge caution about jumping to conclusions. These cold-resistant insects may have arrived via ships or containers and could have survived in Iceland even without warming temperatures. Scientists admit there's still much unknown about mosquito behavior and range shifts, making direct climate connections premature.


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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0