President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to launch a campaign aimed at reducing invasive mosquito populations in Washington, DC, as concerns over mosquito-borne diseases grow in the US.
The order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and other federal officials to develop and implement a 60-day campaign targeting certain invasive mosquito species, with a goal of reducing their population by 90 per cent.
It also calls for efforts to cut the tick population in areas under federal jurisdiction in the capital by 50 per cent over two years.
“The campaign should remediate tick and mosquito breeding grounds on lands subject to Federal jurisdiction throughout D.C. using commonsense and technical approaches,” the order states. It directs agencies to prioritise commercial capabilities and cooperative agreements in their efforts.
The executive order also calls for a regulatory framework covering emerging mosquito and tick-control technologies, with an emphasis on non-chemical approaches that officials consider safe and effective.
“Foreign, invasive mosquitoes are multiplying across the United States and have become the dominant species in some areas,” the order states.
Federal agencies have also been directed to expand research into preventing and treating diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. The measures include prize competitions, federal research programmes and public-private partnerships aimed at accelerating the development of new technologies.
The order further directs health and science agencies to build on existing efforts targeting Lyme disease and other vector-borne illnesses. Officials have also been asked to examine labelling options for products containing significant amounts of alpha-galactose, amid concerns over alpha-gal syndrome, a potentially severe red-meat allergy associated with tick bites.
“Americans should be able to enjoy the beauty and health of Our Nation’s Capital without the threat of widespread invasive ticks and mosquito populations,” the order states.
The move comes as Florida reports an unusual rise in locally acquired dengue fever cases. According to the Florida Department of Health figures cited in the report, 190 locally acquired cases had been recorded across six counties in 2026, including 170 in Hillsborough County.
Dengue is transmitted primarily by infected Aedes mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most dengue cases in the US occur among travellers, although local transmission is possible.