How to Protect Yourself from the Deadliest Animal in the World
This summer, the National Pest Management Association is giving advice on how to keep away from mosquito bites.
Most likely, you've been bitten by a mosquito and battled the itching for days. Surprisingly, more people die from diseases carried by mosquitoes than any other animal on Earth, making them the deadliest animal in the planet. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is educating people about mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit as summer comes to a close.
NPMA Logo(National Pest Management Association)
Dr. Jorge Parada, medical advisor for the National Pest Management Association, stated that once a mosquito bite stops itching, it might be simple to brush it off and perhaps forget that you were bitten in the first place. "Unfortunately, persistent cold-like symptoms, such as fever, headaches, and muscle pain, can indicate a more serious condition."
Within a few days of being bitten, mosquito-borne illnesses usually start to show symptoms. These ailments are the most common in the United States, despite medical advancements making them simpler to avoid, identify, and cure.
- The majority of people who have the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States, the West Nile Virus, do not exhibit any symptoms. West Nile fever, which can include symptoms including headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes in addition to fevers, only manifests in one in five affected people. Serious problems, including as encephalitis and mortality, are more likely to occur in people who have impaired immune systems and those who are older than 50.
- A rarer and more fatal sickness spread by mosquitoes is Eastern Equine Encephalitis. A third of cases are deadly, while the majority of survivors nevertheless struggle with neurological problems. Behavior changes, seizures, and coma are signs of an encephalitic illness, a severe infection.
- There are four closely related viruses that can cause dengue fever: viruses 1, 2, 3, or 4. Approximately 1 in 4 infected individuals become ill, with severity varied across cases. Hospitalization is necessary for severe dengue, a potentially fatal condition.
“Your likelihood of being bitten also depends on a few factors, such as your blood type, your body temperature, how hard you breath, and if you’re wearing scents as mosquitos detect and are attracted to carbon dioxide, as well as to many fragrances like perfumes and floral scents.” added Dr. Parada.
Michael Bentley, Ph.D., an entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, advises that the best approach to prevent coming into contact with mosquitoes is through prevention. “Avoid outside activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. If you are going to be outside, wear light-colored clothing and always use insect repellent with at least 20-percent DEET or another EPA registered insect repellent," he said. "If it is cool enough, wear long sleeves and pants to cover up as much exposed skin as possible. If you're struggling with mosquitoes on your property, be sure to contact a licensed pest control professional to treat the problem.”
Call us at 718-710-0330 to get a help getting rid of the annoying mosquitoes.
