How MosquiTalk researches, verifies, analyzes, and presents mosquito-related information
MosquiTalk is an independent educational publication focused on mosquitoes, mosquito behavior, seasonality, species, prevention and control, mosquito-borne diseases, surveillance data, and related public-health information.
Our goal is to make reliable mosquito-related information easier to understand by bringing together information from authoritative government agencies, international health organizations, universities, scientific institutions, peer-reviewed research, and other reputable sources.
We do not represent or speak on behalf of the CDC, WHO, EPA, any government health department, university, or other public-health organization.
Our Content Research Approach
MosquiTalk follows a research-first approach when developing and updating content.
Depending on the subject, our content research may involve:
- Identifying the specific question or information need.
- Locating the most authoritative available sources.
- Reviewing primary data, official publications, scientific research, and supporting sources.
- Comparing information from multiple sources when appropriate.
- Checking dates, geographic scope, definitions, and reporting periods.
- Separating confirmed information from estimates or interpretations.
- Presenting important findings in tables, charts, maps, and explanatory text.
- Identifying limitations or uncertainties in the available evidence.
- Updating content when important source data or scientific guidance changes.
Our objective is not simply to collect information, but to organize, explain, and contextualize it so readers can understand what the evidence shows and where it comes from.
Our Source Hierarchy
Whenever possible, we prioritize sources according to their authority and proximity to the original information.
1. Government & Public-Health Agencies
We prioritize official sources such as:
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- State and local health departments
- State mosquito-control and vector-control agencies
- Other national public-health agencies
These sources are particularly important for surveillance statistics, disease reporting, public-health recommendations, regulatory information, and mosquito-control guidance.
2. International Health Organizations
For global topics, we may use authoritative organizations such as:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
- Other recognized national and international public-health agencies
International sources are particularly useful for global disease burden, outbreaks, geographic distribution, and international surveillance.
3. Universities & Research Institutions
We use reputable universities, academic institutions, research centers, and extension programs when they provide relevant scientific or educational information.
These sources may be particularly useful for:
- Mosquito biology
- Species identification
- Ecology
- Behavior
- Climate relationships
- Vector biology
- Mosquito-control research
4. Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research
For scientific claims, we may consult peer-reviewed research published in recognized scientific and medical journals.
Where relevant, we consider:
- Study design
- Sample size
- Geographic location
- Study period
- Research limitations
- Whether findings have been replicated
- Whether the evidence applies broadly or only to a specific population/species/location
A finding from a single study is not automatically treated as universal scientific consensus.
5. Professional & Industry Sources
Professional organizations and specialized organizations may be used when they provide relevant expertise or practical information.
Commercial sources may be consulted for product specifications, pricing, or other information that is inherently commercial.
However, commercial sources are not treated as independent scientific evidence when authoritative scientific or government sources are available.
How We Evaluate Sources
Not all online information carries the same level of authority.
When evaluating a source, we consider:
- Authority
Who produced the information?
- Originality
Is the source reporting its own data or repeating someone else’s information?
- Evidence
What research, surveillance, methodology, or documentation supports the claim?
- Recency
How current is the information?
- Relevance
Does the evidence actually apply to the geographic region, mosquito species, disease, population, or question being discussed?
- Transparency
Does the source explain where its data came from and how it was collected?
- Limitations
Does the source acknowledge uncertainty or limitations?
How We Handle Statistics & Data
Statistical content requires additional care because public-health datasets can change over time.
For data-driven articles, we attempt to identify:
- Original data source
- Reporting agency
- Reporting period
- Geographic coverage
- Publication or update date
- Whether data are preliminary, provisional, estimated, or finalized
- Relevant definitions
- Methodology used by the original source
- Important limitations
Provisional Data
Some public-health surveillance data are updated as additional reports are received or records are corrected.
When applicable, MosquiTalk identifies data as provisional, preliminary, estimated, or finalized according to the terminology used by the original source.
A previously published number may therefore change when the underlying source is updated.
How We Create Our Data Tables
When we create a table from information published by another organization, we identify the underlying source.
Our tables may involve:
- Organizing information from multiple official datasets
- Standardizing terminology
- Sorting or ranking available data
- Calculating percentages or rates
- Comparing geographic regions
- Creating historical comparisons
- Combining information from multiple reporting periods
When we perform calculations or transformations, we aim to explain the methodology so readers can understand how the result was produced.
We distinguish between source-reported figures and MosquiTalk calculations or analysis whenever that distinction is important.
How We Create Charts, Maps & Visualizations
MosquiTalk may transform publicly available data into:
- Charts
- Graphs
- Maps
- Rankings
- Timelines
- Comparison tables
- Infographics
These visualizations are intended to make complex information easier to understand.
A visualization may represent MosquiTalk’s presentation or analysis of underlying data, rather than an official map or chart produced by the original data provider.
Where appropriate, the underlying source and methodology are identified alongside the visualization.
How We Handle Scientific Uncertainty
Scientific evidence is not always definitive.
When credible sources disagree, or when evidence is limited, we try to:
- Identify the disagreement
- Present the strongest available evidence
- Avoid presenting uncertain findings as established facts
- Explain important limitations
- Avoid unsupported conclusions
We do not intentionally convert scientific uncertainty into definitive claims simply to make an article more compelling.
How We Use AI in Our Content Process
AI tools may be used for research and editorial assistance, including for:
- Organizing research
- Creating preliminary outlines
- Identifying potential questions
- Structuring large datasets
- Improving readability
- Generating draft visual concepts (including images and charts)
AI-generated information is not treated as an authoritative source by itself.
Important factual claims, statistics, medical information, scientific statements, and source references are checked against appropriate authoritative sources before publication.
Where appropriate, human editorial review and qualified expert review are used to assess the final content.
Expert Review
Certain topics require specialized professional knowledge for factual check and verification.
Where expert review is available, relevant content may be reviewed by appropriately qualified professionals such as:
- Physicians
- Public-health professionals
- Infectious-disease specialists
- Entomologists
- Medical entomologists
- Vector-control specialists
- Veterinarians
- Dietitian
- Other appropriately qualified subject-matter professionals
The reviewer is identified on the relevant article where applicable.
Important Distinction
Expert review does not mean that the reviewer wrote the article or that the reviewer personally endorses every aspect of MosquiTalk.
The reviewer’s role and qualifications are identified transparently.
Editorial Review
Before publication, content may be reviewed for:
- Factual consistency
- Source accuracy
- Clarity
- Organization
- Appropriate terminology
- Citation accuracy
- Data presentation
- Potentially misleading statements
- Missing limitations or context
Data-heavy articles receive additional attention to the source, reporting period, definitions, calculations, and presentation of statistics.
How We Update Articles
Mosquito science, surveillance data, disease statistics, regulations, and public-health recommendations can change.
We may update articles when:
- New official data become available
- A source revises previously reported statistics
- Scientific evidence changes
- Public-health guidance is updated
- Important errors are identified
- Geographic or seasonal information changes
- Additional authoritative information becomes available
Significant updates should be reflected in the article’s Last Updated date.
Corrections & Errors
Despite our efforts, published information can occasionally contain errors or become outdated.
If an error is identified, we investigate it against the relevant authoritative sources.
Depending on the nature of the issue, we may:
- Correct the information
- Update the source
- Add clarification
- Update the methodology
- Add a correction or editorial note
Readers can report potential errors through our Contact Us page.
Geographic & Temporal Limitations
Mosquito activity and mosquito-borne disease risk can vary considerably by:
- Country
- State or province
- County
- Climate
- Elevation
- Season
- Mosquito species
- Local ecology
- Surveillance practices
- Population characteristics
Information applicable to one location should not automatically be assumed to apply to another.
Similarly, historical data should not automatically be interpreted as a prediction of future mosquito activity or disease transmission.
Medical & Public-Health Information
MosquiTalk provides general educational and informational content.
Our articles are not intended to:
- Diagnose a disease
- Replace professional medical advice
- Provide individualized treatment
- Establish a doctor-patient relationship
- Replace official public-health guidance
Readers with medical concerns should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
For urgent or emergency symptoms, seek appropriate medical care.
Independent Publication
MosquiTalk is an independent publication.
We may reference government agencies, universities, scientific organizations, and public-health authorities, but references to these organizations do not mean that they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with MosquiTalk unless explicitly stated.
Our use of authoritative sources is intended to help readers locate and understand reliable information.
How to Cite MosquiTalk
If you are a journalist, researcher, blogger, educator, or publisher using information from MosquiTalk, please cite the specific article, dataset, chart, or research page from which the information was obtained.
For data-driven reports, we recommend citing:
Article title → MosquiTalk → publication/update date → original data source where applicable.
Where an article provides an original calculation or analysis based on publicly available data, please distinguish between the original source data and MosquiTalk’s analysis or presentation.
Our Commitment
Our goal is to make mosquito-related information:
Accurate.
Transparent.
Evidence-informed.
Clearly sourced.
Understandable.
Useful.
We will continue improving our research methods, source transparency, expert-review process, data presentation, and editorial standards as MosquiTalk develops.
Last Updated: 21st August ‘2026