Should You Be Concerned When You Itch?
Have you been keeping an eye on what has been in the news lately? In the past two months in the United
The assassin responsible for these deaths is none other than the mosquito. Most of us already knew that the mosquito is the number 1 killer in the world and if you didn’t know, now you do. In fact, in Timothy C. Winegard’s book “The Mosquito” he estimates, from the beginning of mankind’s existence on the earth, that the mosquito is responsible for killing more than 52 billion people. That’s insane. That’s about half of the world’s population ever.
Mosquitoes are known for spreading diseases. The disease that is responsible for the fatalities mentioned earlier is Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The biggest threat over the spread of EEE is that there is no cure. There is a vaccination, but it is not available commercially due to the side effects being too severe. This mosquito-borne disease has 30% to 50% death rates of those infected. There is treatment for EEE but 80% of survivors suffer with some degree of permanent neurological damage. Great. So, we are left vulnerable, standing waiting to be bit by mosquitoes and possibly get this virus.
This is a problem that is starting to occur in the United States, call it global warming or call it evolution, that could turn into a bigger problem for both humans and animals. Luckily we have been more fortunate than less developed countries in mosquito control, if we look at those less developed countries we can see the destruction, massive health impact, and economic cost caused by mosquitoes and vector borne illnesses. There has been little emphasis on the awareness of the vector borne diseases manifesting in our country.
Please stay safe out there. They are very small and hard to tell they are there until you get bit. So I am doing my part in bringing more awareness to you on how to protect yourself from the world’s deadliest assassin.
1) Make sure there is no still water around your homes because that is the best spot for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
2) If you do go outside wear long sleeve shirts and pants.
3) There are many natural and chemical based mosquito spray and a few wearable patch repellents. Try to apply at all times when going outside.
Do you homework, be bite free, and live fearlessly.
