Top Mosquito-Borne illnesses in The U.S
The Dangerous Mosquito and its Bloodsucking Desire
Dangerous, life-threatening bugs storm through the skies. They patiently wait, lurk and grasp onto their prey. The Mosquito might be a small creature but its bloodsucking bite is no minute affair. They not only cause a wretched itching sensation on the bitten area, but also cause numerous diseases strong enough to kill a human being. There are a few ways to handle these life sucking monsters.
You could simply hide in an enclosed isolated building for your entire life or you could understand the threats the disease causes and protect yourself while still living your life to the fullest. Two of the top mosquito borne illnesses found in the U.S today are the West Nile Virus and Malaria. What we will be discussing is what the dangers are in these diseases, where we should stay away from to stay safe and what is the best way to protect ourselves from these miniscule murderers.
To begin with, we will discuss the high-risk illness, West Nile Virus. Originating from East Africa, this virus was spread throughout the world by means of ships traveling from the Eastern to Western Hemispheres. The virus quickly hit America and began to spread rapidly. The most dangerous thing about it is all you need to do to get this disease is get bit by one single disease carrying mosquito.
One single mosquito. One single bite. Immediately injected with a debilitating disease. One in five people who get bit by an infectious mosquito immediately develop feverish symptoms and other weakening symptoms. Although it is a small number, one percent of people infected will become struck with a neurological illness and oftentimes brain damage. Thankfully, for about six months you will be mostly safe from the West Nile Virus since it mainly attacks in the summer and fall. During those months though, stay safe because there are zero vaccines. This virus is rare but very dangerous.
The other virus, Malaria, comes from the Anopheles mosquito and spreads disease from person to person by injecting the disease into the bloodstream while it sucks blood out. This disease also originated in Africa and came to America via cargo ships and the like. The most common symptoms associated with Malaria are fevers, headaches and the flu or flu-like symptoms. Not only can someone be extremely sick for a long period of time, they can also die from this disease making it an extremely dangerous mosquito borne illness. Thankfully, malaria does have a cure. Although this cure does not work 100% of the time, it does exist and has been studied and tested by the CDC making it certified safe to use.
Lastly, we will run through a safe way to prevent the attacks of these little creatures…. the one and only Insect Repellent. To begin with, never just use any form of insect repellent. Only use repellents registered under the EPA or else you might be at risk of other diseases from the chemicals in these repellents. Try to stay away from areas that mosquitoes commonly dwell in and apply EPA approved insect repellent if you happen to enter these areas. Most importantly, stay away from standing water. Mosquitoes love to stay in these areas and once dusk strikes they will immediately come out to get you.
In conclusion, stay safe and stay away from these little outdoor monsters and it will limit your chance of getting either the West Nile Virus or Malaria, the two most dangerous mosquito borne illnesses.
Author: Connor Wallace
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Work Cited
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquitoes in the United States. CDC, 5 March 2020 https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/mosquitoes-in-the-us.html
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquito-Borne Diseases. CDC, 21 March 2016 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/default.html
- Mark. List of Mosquito-borne Diseases in the USA. Mosquito Fixes, 3 May 2020. https://mosquitofixes.com/mosquito-borne-diseases-usa
