We’re Coming Into Peak Season for Mosquitoes. Are you Prepared?

<p>Few things bring people together like mutual hatred, and mosquitoes are top of the list. Tiny, buzzing, parasitical, and irritating, these insects have a wildly disproportionate impact on human health. The itchy bumps they cause following a bite are secondary to the serious diseases they transmit, making them a point of significant scientific interest. </p> <p>Here’s a closer look at the bane of being outdoors for many a human being. </p> <h2>Facts about mosquitoes</h2> <h3>Diverse species</h3> <p>With over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, there is no one-size-fits-all for these little terrors. Still, not all of them bite humans, as some types prefer other animals or feed on plant nectar. </p> <p>Some mosquitoes are fond of cold-blooded animals like snakes or frogs, while others prefer birds. </p> <h3>Deadliest animal</h3> <p>Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world, killing as many as one million people a year. We don’t even know we’ve been attacked until an itch begins, but that bite may be carrying a parasite or a virus. Mosquitoes are vectors for horrible diseases like malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika, and more. </p> <figure><img src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/Wdxe7XHeq2/thumbnail.jpg" alt="Mosquito-Carried Diseases | Source: NIAID" /> <figcaption>Mosquito-Carried Diseases. <em>Source: NIAID</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>The females are the bloodsuckers</h3> <p>Not that you can tell, but it’s only the females you have to worry about. They use their needle-like mouthparts to pierce the victim and gorge on some tasty blood. Males won’t bite you because they cannot; they lack a specialized stylet needed to penetrate your skin, and even when they are offered blood meals in lab testing, they refuse them. </p> <p>The males feed on plant juices like nectar to gain the sugar they need for energy and survival. Females need protein from blood for the development of their eggs. </p> <figure><img src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/JdPvNWBUjA/thumbnail.png" alt="Male vs Female Mosquito | Source: LadyofHats/Wikimedia" /> <figcaption>Male vs Female Mosquito. <em>Source: LadyofHats/Wikimedia</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>Lifecycle</h3> <p>Egg, larva, pupa, and adult: the four stages of a mosquito’s lifecycle. The whole process can be as quick as five days or up to several weeks, depending on the environmental conditions. </p> <h3>Attraction to CO2</h3> <p>How do mosquitoes have such an amazing ability to target us from afar and go straight for the skin? They are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale, along with heat, sweat, and certain body odors.</p> <h3>Flight abilities </h3> <p>Although puny in size, mosquitoes can fly distances of up to several miles. They are mostly active around dawn and dusk when temperature levels and humidity are ideal.</p> <h2>Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes</h2> <p>The diseases spread by mosquitoes are among the greatest global health challenges. Here are some of the most prominent infections:</p> <h3>Malaria</h3> <p>Malaria is by far the most devastating disease spread by mosquitoes. It is a scourge in tropical countries where <em>Anopheles</em> mosquitoes thrive and spread this deadly disease. Millions are affected annually, and the mortality rates are high (especially in sub-Saharan Africa). </p> <p>In 2022, the WHO estimated that there were roughly 249 million cases of malaria and 608,000 deaths in 85 countries. Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, and flu-like illness. </p> <figure><img src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/aARam1hvqz/thumbnail.jpg" alt="Disease Vectors | Source: CDC" /> <figcaption> Mosquito transmitting malarial sporozoites while obtaining a blood meal from its host.Vectors <em>Source: CDC</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>Dengue fever</h3> <p>Dengue fever is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions and affects roughly 400 million people each year. The infection is primarily spread by the <em>Aedes aegypti</em> subspecies of mosquitoes, and the symptoms include:</p> <ul> <li>Sudden high fever</li> <li>Intense headaches</li> <li>Pain behind the eyes</li> <li>Joint and muscle pain</li> <li>Nausea</li> <li>Rash</li> </ul> <p>Climate change is expanding the range of mosquitoes by creating more balmy weather in previously inhospitable locations. Tiger mosquitoes, an invasive species making headway in Europe through favorable conditions brought about by climate change, have brought dengue fever to 13 countries including France, Greece, and Spain. <br /><br />As of now, only a small fraction of US dengue fever cases (~6%) are locally acquired in southern states like California, Texas, and Florida, but as <em>Aedes Aegypti</em> mosquitoes expand their range and come up through Latin America, this may become a more serious threat. </p> <h3>Zika virus</h3> <p>This one made the headlines some years back before COVID, and it’s well known for its terrible effects on developing fetuses. Significant outbreaks of Zika have occurred in Africa, parts of the Americas, Asia, and the Caribbean. </p> <p>Pregnant women are the main concern for Zika outbreaks because of its link to birth defects like microcephaly (a condition where the baby’s head is much smaller than normal).</p> <h3>Yellow fever</h3> <p>This disease is named after the jaundice that affects some patients, causing their skin and eyes to turn yellow. Yellow fever can be prevented with a vaccine, but it is epidemic-prone and Africa is particularly vulnerable.</p> <h3>West Nile virus</h3> <p>West Nile virus is present in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is spread by Culex mosquitoes, and it is the most common cause of mosquito-borne disease in the US. </p> <p>Thankfully, most people infected with the virus do not feel sick; only around 20% experience fever and other symptoms. Approximately 1 in 150 people will develop a serious, sometimes deadly, illness. Older people and the immunocompromised are at higher risk.</p> <p>There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, as we have no vaccine or medicine. This is why prevention and awareness are so important — see the CDC’s recommendations for West Nile virus in the links below. </p> <figure><img src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/2dZRDNfjdG/thumbnail.jpg" alt="Protect yourself against West Nile Virus. | Source: U.S. Air Force graphic by Kent Bingham" /> <figcaption>Protect yourself against West Nile Virus. <em>Source: U.S. Air Force graphic by Kent Bingham</em></figcaption> </figure> <h2>Prevention and control</h2> <p>Key strategies for preventing mosquito bites include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Insect repellent.</strong> DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective repellents against mosquitoes.</li> <li><strong>Protective clothing.</strong> If you’re going into risky areas, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks to reduce skin exposure.</li> <li><strong>Mosquito nets.</strong> In places where malaria is prevalent, mosquito nets are recommended to stay safe while resting.</li> <li><strong>Destroy breeding sites.</strong> Standing water is where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs (flower pots, old tires, and clogged gutters are among the examples).</li> </ul><h2>More on Mosquitoes</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/4m8ggl4fpw-mosquito-bites" target="_blank">How to Prevent or Respond to a Mosquito Bite</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/j348vk7uaw-mosquito-borne-diseases" target="_blank">Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/xjnk75ocrj-mosquito-control-at-home-and-in-the-yard" target="_blank">Mosquito Control: How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home and in the Yard</a></li></ul>