Can Mosquitoes Kill You in America?
WouterHundreds of millions of people are affected by diseases spread by mosquitoes. These diseases can cause temporary incapacities and kill. Some of the more deadly mosquito-borne diseases include yellow fever, dengue fever, encephalitis, malaria, and Zika.
Malaria is the most deadly of these diseases. It affects over 200 million people per year. It can cause severe complications that can incapacitate people for days. Infected people are often unable to work or play. In the past, the US government sprayed pesticide DDT to reduce malaria-borne diseases. However, it’s now known that DDT is toxic to humans.
Chikungunya, which is spread by mosquitoes, is another deadly disease. It causes debilitating fevers and joint pains. It can also cause microcephaly in infants. This disease can also spread to travelers to the United States. In 2013, an outbreak of the disease sickened over 800,000 people in 31 countries.
Mosquitoes are known to be one of the deadliest animals on earth. According to the Bill Gates Foundation, approximately 475,000 Americans die from mosquito-borne diseases each year.
Mosquitoes are classified as diptera. They have hairy scales on their bodies and long, tubular mouthparts for sucking up fluids. They also inject saliva into a wound to ensure a smooth flow of blood. Their saliva contains an anticoagulant, which helps to prevent blood clots.
There are over 2,500 species of mosquitoes in the world. They have co-evolved with thousands of different species. Some animals, such as elephants and giraffes, are not entirely dependent on mosquitoes for food.
