World Malaria Day: Interesting Facts About Mosquitoes And How To Handle Them

Malaria, the most common disease in our society is so common that majority of us are familiar with its symptoms in the human body. Funny isn't it? This disease has led to so much abuse of medications and has indirectly caused the death of many. One could easily say that malaria is the deadliest disease to have ever happened. Well, you are not so wrong either, it is actually the third deadliest disease in the world.

Malaria is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes which have been infected with the plasmodium parasite. When in the human body, it causes symptoms like; fever, tiredness, vomiting, headaches, chills and sometimes even leads to coma or death. Fortunately, with proper treatments, the symptoms of malaria usually go away within two weeks. Although, improper treatments can cause a relapse of the disease.

Here are some interesting facts to know about the insect that transmits this deadly disease;

1. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2). They are designed with a special organ called the maxillary palp which they use to follow the smell of CO2. Infact, it's one of the main ways they locate their next blood meal even in the dark, because we humans breathe out carbon dioxide.

2. Do you know mosquitoes are confused by certain scents like mint and caramelized chocolate? These scents make it difficult for them to be attracted to carbon dioxide. I bet, you can use this to keep the mosquitoes away.

3. Mosquitoes like our sweat. No wonder they are always buzzing around when the weather is hot.

4. Do you know mosquitoes do not only feed on human blood? Some species are attracted to birds or frogs.

5. Do you know that the itchy feeling you get after a mosquito bite is as a result of the saliva left by the mosquito in your blood? This saliva is deposited by the mosquito to prevent the blood from clotting as it sucks the blood.

6. The main carriers of the plasmodium parasite are all females. They feed on our blood because they need it for their eggs. The male mosquitoes don’t worry about such things, so they actually feed on nectar from flowers.

7. Stagnant water is essential for breeding. This is because they deposit their eggs in the water to develop.

SIMPLE WAYS TO LIMIT MOSQUITOES IN OUR ENVIRONMENT

Mosquitoes are very annoying insects and the fact that they transmit one of the deadliest disease brings up a concern on how to limit them from our surroundings. The safest ways include;

• The use of mosquito nets (preferably insecticide-treated nets)

• Sleeping or resting in screened or air-conditioned rooms.

• Wearing of clothes that cover most of the body

• Use of mosquito repellent in accordance with the instructions indicated on the product label.

• Use of insecticides.

Other methods also include good environmental hygiene in order to clear out stagnant waters which are the breeding ground for this insect.

Malaria is not contagious. Although, being in a malaria endemic country makes it difficult to curtail but, keeping to the guidelines can help reduce the occurrence of malaria in the society

References

1. Barefootmosquito.com; 12 Interesting Facts About Mosquitoes

2. What to know about malaria; Medically reviewed by Joseph Vinetz, MD — Written by Peter Lam — Updated on January 26, 2022

3. WHO. Malaria Vector Control and Personal Protection. Report of a WHO Study Group, WHO Technical Report Series 2006; no 936.