Mosquitoes are some of the most annoying creatures on the planet. They seem to delight in alighting on any exposed skin, penetrating it with their tubular mouth organs, and drawing blood for sustenance, leaving behind angry welts and itchiness that can be maddening. However, mosquitoes can also transmit serious and sometimes deadly diseases, including malaria, dengue, and that disease that has been in the news recently, the Zika virus.
Some of these diseases, such as malaria and dengue, are of concern only to travelers who venture to tropical countries. However, even in North America, mosquito-borne illnesses have become an increasing problem. Zika, for example, has spread to some southern states and can cause birth defects in fetuses if a pregnant women is bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus.
Whether you live in an area where mosquito-borne diseases have become a problem, or you are planning a vacation to such an area, you should do your homework and be forearmed against catching any of these ailments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants.
- Use insect repellant to protect parts of the skin that are exposed.
- Stay indoors where there is air conditioning, with screen doors and windows that are kept shut.
A number of insecticides exist that can help suppress mosquito infestations. You should be especially careful of standing pools of water on your property, especially after a rainstorm. Make sure your swimming pool is filtered and chlorinated.
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