How Bad Are Mosquitoes in Barbados?
Despite its tropical paradise, Barbados is a mosquito-spreading hotspot. It is home to three mosquito species, the Anopheles mosquito, the Culex mosquito, and the Aedes aegypti. They can carry and spread a number of diseases.
The Aedes aegypti is the mosquito that transmits Dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya. It is active in most tropical regions. It feeds from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. and has white stripes on its legs.
The Ministry of Health has instituted a fogging program to eliminate this mosquito. However, fogging is not the only solution to mosquito control.
The Caribbean region is home to numerous mosquito species, and they can spread a variety of diseases. The two most common are malaria and Dengue fever. In addition, the mosquitoes can carry Lymphatic Filariasis, which can result in elephantiasis.
The disease is not preventable by vaccines, but prevention is possible. Visitors to Barbados should wear long-sleeved clothing, use mosquito nets, and re-fill their prescriptions. They should also avoid eating foods that are unsafe and drink water that is safe.
While mosquitoes in Barbados do not carry yellow fever, they are carriers of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika. The virus is linked to birth defects and can cause serious harm to pregnant women. It is best to avoid traveling to Barbados if you are pregnant.
Mosquitoes can also spread other diseases, including malaria, leptospirosis, and syphilis. The Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to rid Barbados of mosquitoes. If you are traveling to Barbados, visit a health practitioner for an over-the-counter vaccine or a Tetanus booster shot.