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There's a worrisome problem at the heart of the Zika-virus crisis that no one is talking about Comment By Lydia Ramsey MailTribune.com By Lydia Ramsey Posted Feb. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Feb 19, 2016 at 10:02 AM By Lydia Ramsey Posted Feb. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Feb 19, 2016 at 10:02 AM » Social News Getty Images With public-health experts scrambling for answers to the Zika virus that's spreading rapidly throughout the Americas, a number of theories have come out trying to answer the question "Why now?" Some, like the one that claims it's all genetically modified mosquitoes ' fault, are a bit wacky. Others, like the theory that it might have something to do with the rising prevalence of another mosquito-borne virus called dengue , seem a bit more probable. But a third theory certainly seems to hold water: A warming planet is allowing disease-carrying mosquitoes to thrive. None of these, of course, are mutually exclusive. The rising prevalence of dengue and a gradually warming planet could be affecting the current Zika outbreak. And warmer temperatures — like the hottest year on record, which was last year , the same year Zika arrived in Brazil — are increasingly worrisome because they make it easier for the mosquitoes that transmit the virus to breed. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes prefer damp, warm, indoor areas . And because they don't travel too far, dense urban areas are ideal living locations. As the World Health Organization said recently, it's "people, rather than mosquitoes" that move the virus from one community to another. Still, the ranges in which mosquitoes can survive in are expanding as the globe gets warmer, including places further in the north in the US where the Aedes aegypti was not present before. "As we get continued warming, it's going to become more difficult to control mosquitoes. The warmer it is, the faster they can develop from egg to adult, and the faster they can incubate viruses," Andrew Monaghan, a researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, recently told The New York Times . Luckily, the US has a lot going for it in terms of preventing mosquito bites. Air conditioning, window screens, and less densely populated urban areas are all reasons the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not expect it to be much of a threat to the majority of the continental US. But as climate scientists have warned for years, a warmer planet will affect the spread of disease — especially those carried by insects and other pests that thrive at certain temperatures — and we may be seeing the signs of this now. NOW WATCH: Hope Solo says she might skip the Olympics because of Zika See Also: We came incredibly close to eradicating the mosquito that carries Zika from the Americas � here's why it came back This study provides clear evidence of how Zika virus may be causing birth defects Hope Solo says she might skip the Olympics because of Zika SEE ALSO: The untreatable Zika virus just made its way into 2 more countries � here are all the places it has spread so far DON'T MISS: Scientists just found another critical piece of evidence that links Zika to a disturbing birth defect By Lydia Ramsey MailTribune.com By Lydia Ramsey Posted Feb. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM Updated Feb 19, 2016 at 10:02 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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