New Discovery Doc Spotlights Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Discovery has set July 6 for the premiere of Mosquito, which is narrated by Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and examines the global impact of the insect.

The Discovery Impact film will premiere on July 6 at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel and Discovery networks around the world. The film takes a timely look at mosquitoes, which are behind the outbreaks of diseases such as Zika, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, chikungunya and dengue. The bugs are blamed for the deaths of 750,000 people a year, many of whom are children. Renner narrates Mosquito as it chronicles the insect’s expansion around the globe due to factors such as warmer temperatures and increased global travel and trade. The film features interviews with experts, including former CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Mosquito highlights the need for a coordinated worldwide effort to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

In conjunction with the worldwide TV broadcast, Discovery and CARE2 are collaborating on a petition calling citizens worldwide to drive government leaders to take action. Mosquito will also air on Discovery’s Spanish-language channel Discovery en Español. Prior to its global broadcast premiere on Discovery, Mosquito will have a World Premiere Spotlight Screening at the AFI Docs Film Festival on June 15. Mosquito is a Yap Films production for Discovery Channel.

“For more than 30 years, Discovery’s mission has been to ignite viewers’ curiosity, spark dialogue and encourage action on critical topics through our world-class storytelling and brands across 220 countries and territories,” said David Zaslav, the president and CEO of Discovery Communications. “Mosquito sounds a worldwide alarm about the need for bold steps to address this increasingly urgent threat. As a purpose-driven company, we are proud to leverage the strength of our unmatched television and digital services in all corners of the globe to call on citizens and worldwide leaders alike to act.”

“Discovery is at its best taking a global problem and showcasing its effects on individuals and their local communities,” added Rich Ross, the group president of Discovery, Animal Planet, Science Channel and Velocity. “The spread of mosquito-borne illnesses in places they have never been has the potential to change the world as we know it. Mosquito shines a spotlight on this rapidly moving issue, giving audiences the tools to understand and prepare for a new world.”