The world’s deadliest animal is probably outside your home right now – it’s a mosquito .

Despite its small size, the Centers for Disease Control says the deadliest animal in the world is the mosquito.

"The mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world," the CDC says. It kills over 725,000 people a year through diseases like malaria, dengue and zika.

In Rhode Island, mosquitos usually keep biting until the end of October and, right now, there's a high risk of West Nile Virus: a Rhode Island resident was j ust hospitalized with the state's first probable human case of WNV in 2025 after coming down with symptoms in early September.

Here's what to know to keep yourself safe. Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.

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