Mosquitoes are common pests in warm climates around the world. In some cases, mosquitoes can present serious dangers for small children and elderly adults. There are, however, many misunderstandings about the dangers of mosquitoes and how they breed.
1. Mosquitoes Can Cause Malaria
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, about 400,000 people die each year from malaria. In almost all cases, malaria is contracted after people get a mosquito bite. Malaria is not, however, a common problem associated with mosquitoes in the U.S. since there are only about 1,700 cases of malaria in the entire country each year. Almost everyone who dies from malaria lives in a country with poor sanitation and health care.
2. The Zika Virus Is Extinct
The Zika virus was considered to be a serious health concern when it first became widespread in 2015. The CDC issued health warnings, and the media talked about the Zika virus every day. Today, people almost never hear about the Zika virus. The threats posed by the Zika virus still exist, but they are rarely discussed. Although governments have taken steps to fight the Zika virus, the chances are low that the virus will ever be fully eradicated.
3. Mosquitoes Do Not Bite During the Day
People tend to get most mosquito bites when they go outside at night. In general, mosquitoes spend less time searching for food during the day due to the increased risk of being seen. Mosquitoes are, however, capable of biting during the day. If you come near mosquito populations during the day, they will bite you like they would at any other time.
4. Mosquitoes Pose the Same Dangers for Everyone
Mosquitoes are dangerous because they have the potential to inject viruses directly into your bloodstream. There are a wide range of viruses that are only contracted from mosquitoes in most cases, such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and yellow fever. According to statistics from the CDC, there are more than 3,500 viruses that mosquitoes can transmit. Young children and elderly adults who are more vulnerable to viruses are more likely to be harmed by mosquitoes than healthy adults.
5. Nothing Good Is Done by Mosquitoes
When spending time outdoors, mosquitoes can seem like annoying pests that do no good for the world. In reality, mosquitoes are a critical component of the ecosystem because they help to keep animal populations at reasonable levels. Research has also been published about how genetically modified mosquitoes have the potential to transmit vaccinations. Humanitarian organizations have speculated about ideas for using mosquitoes to immunize populations that cannot afford vaccinations. Although mosquitoes kill many people in impoverished countries, they also have the potential to do good when they are used in the right way.
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