What many do not know or realize, are the potential dangers of the mosquito. Particularly in the spring and summer seasons, you will find many of these critters hanging around the outside of your home or business in the Huntersville, NC, area. At Go-Forth Home Services, we are equipped and experienced in successfully reducing mosquito populations in and around Huntersville, NC, and beyond since 1959. The following information is intended to make all aware of the life-threatening risks that come with allowing mosquitoes to lurk outside your home or around your property.
The Dangers Of Mosquitos
Bites from the mosquitoes can cause much more than an itchy red bump the list of side effects left by mosquitoes is quite extensive. Most diseases associated with mosquitoes cause symptoms similar to influenza, such as headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, and fever. This is reported by Roxanne Connelly, PhD, a medical entomologist and professor at the University of Florida in Vero Beach.
Mosquito-borne illnesses are a worldwide concern. "The infection of a mosquito bite can lead to encephalitis, coma, or even death," says Connelly, although this only happens in severe cases. The true reason behind the brutal act of a mosquito is the sequel to the range of viruses that they carry and spread to mammals such as humans, horses, dogs, and other animals. The following is a brief overview of infections caused by mosquitoes that are of the greatest concern for which humans are at risk.
Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
1. Malaria
Almost eliminated in the United States since 1951, Malaria remains a significant threat in Africa and other parts of the world. About 1,500 US citizens become ill every year during a trip, and 198 million are affected throughout the world, according to the CDC. The disease comes from a parasite that infects certain types of mosquitoes and tends to resort to a flu-like illness in humans.
The most commonly known symptom of Malaria is fever, which is characterized by shaking, aching muscles, tiredness, headaches, and nausea. Symptoms usually occur within 10 to 28 days after a Malaria mosquito bite. Because of the loss of red blood cells, this disease can lead to kidney, seizure, coma, or death in case the illness is not treated quickly.
2. Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is considered rare in the United States because of the availability of its vaccination. However, this disease remains a problem in some parts of the world such as South America and Africa, where symptoms include, chills, major headaches and muscle aches, and occasionally organ failure and death. Almost 200,000 cases occur every year at an international level, killing 30,000 people, according to reports from the World Health Organization.
3. Western Nile Virus
The West Nile virus was first identified in the western region of Uganda in 1937, but it has attracted the attention of the West in recent years. In 2012, the United States experienced one of the worst WNV epidemics, with 286 deaths recorded. It is known that the Western Nile causes life-threatening neurological diseases in humans.
The biggest concern with the Western Nile is that 80% of the infections in humans have no symptoms, which is incredibly difficult to diagnose. In the absence of a vaccine currently available to humans, the best way to reduce the risk of contracting the western Nile virus is through the control of mosquitoes.
4. Zika
Zika virus is probably the most common disease at the moment due to the recent epidemic in Brazil. The virus causes Zika fever, a disease that shows little or no symptoms. Symptoms such as fever, red eyes, joint pain, and rash usually last less than a week. The type known as Aedes mosquitoes is responsible for the transmission of Zika, and it can also be sexually transmitted by man.
The attention Zika has attracted is because it causes microcephaly; cranial deformation in the baby. Infected pregnant women can spread the infection to the baby, resulting in underdeveloped brain and a lower head than normal.
5. Dengue Fever
Dengue is a mosquito-derived virus and has been a global problem since the Second World War. The fever is more prevalent in tropical climates such as Southeast Asia and Latin America and causes about 10,000 deaths per year. Symptoms usually begin within two weeks of infection and may include high temperature, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and a characteristic skin rash. Although a vaccine for dengue fever is approved in three countries, it is not yet available on the market.