Aedes aegypti

On November 19, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District board voted to approve a trial of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes designed to fight the Zika virus in the Keys.
Key West Source: Tampa Bay Times
The district has been working with British biotech company Oxitec for the last 5 years to get federal approval for a trial release of the genetically engineered male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes into the wild. When they mate with female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, their offspring die.

Residents of the Florida Keys are at odds over whether a trial of GMO mosquitoes should move forward in the area. [1]
The proposed trial would take place in Key Haven, where the people of that community voted against the mosquitoes’ release on November 8. Sixty-five percent of voters shot down the ballot measure. However, 58% of voters in Monroe County favored the test. The final decision will go to the Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board. [2]

As health officials predicted, the Zika virus is beginning to spread across south Florida, and now a type of genetically modified (GM) mosquito designed to fight the virus has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [1]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is advising pregnant women, women considering becoming pregnant, and their partners not to visit a small community just north of Miami, Florida, where the Zika virus is beginning to spread via mosquito bites.
The announcement marks the 1st time the CDC has warned people not to travel to an American neighborhood over concern of catching an infectious disease. [1]

It seems the Zika virus is showing no signs of slowing in Brazil, where researchers have found that the virus is present even in many house mosquitoes. These mosquitoes, known as Culex, are the most common and have been spotted in the city of Recife. While it has been confirmed that Culex are carrying the potentially deadly virus, scientists say that more studies need to be done in order to determine if the Culex can indeed spread the virus. [1]

Parts of Florida experienced heavy flooding last weekend in the wake of Tropical Storm Colin, and health officials are concerned that residual standing water that has collected in large and small containers could cause an explosion in the mosquito population.