What is the world’s most dangerous creature? Is it a lion, a spider, a snake, or a shark? It’s not any of these, sorry. The world’s most hazardous organism is actually a tiny insect that can infect both humans and animals with fatal diseases. The mosquito is the culprit.
The World Health Organization estimates that mosquitoes cause over a million fatalities annually. They are capable of carrying and dispersing viruses that can cause fatalities or serious sickness, such as West Nile, Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and malaria. Particularly in tropical and subtropical areas, mosquitoes are common because they breed in still water and consume human blood.
However, mosquitoes are not an issue just in the world’s warmer regions. They can also be found in colder, temperate settings, where they hibernate or deposit eggs that hatch in the spring to survive the winter. In Kentucky, for example, mosquitoes are predicted to return as soon as the weather warms up.
Why Kentucky is at risk
More than fifty kinds of mosquitoes can be found in Kentucky, some of which are known to carry diseases that can harm both people and animals. The West Nile virus and La Crosse encephalitis, which can cause fever, headaches, body aches, and in rare cases, neurological consequences, are the most prevalent mosquito-borne illnesses in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, the danger of mosquito-borne illnesses varies according to the time of year, the area, and the kind of mosquito. From May to October, when the mosquito population is at its peak and the weather is conducive to their activities, there is typically a higher risk. In addition, there are more sources of standing water, more people, and more animals to bite in urban and suburban regions, increasing the risk. Because there are more natural predators and fewer mosquitoes in rural and forested regions, the risk is lower.
The likelihood of disease transmission is also influenced by the type of mosquito. Certain mosquitoes are more likely to transmit specific diseases than others, and some mosquitoes are more prone to bite people than others. For instance, the invasive Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which was discovered in Kentucky in 1991, may be a vector for the viruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. These viruses are typically found in tropical and subtropical areas. Nonetheless, there have been no reports of these viruses in Kentucky as of yet, and since the Asian tiger mosquito is mostly active during the day, it comes into less contact with people.
The northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens), which is native to the state and prefers to bite birds over people, is the most frequent carrier of the West Nile virus in Kentucky. But this mosquito may also bite people, particularly at night, and it can spread the illness from sick birds to people. The eastern treehole mosquito (Aedes triseriatus), which is native to the state and nests in tree holes and man-made containers, is the most frequent vector of La Crosse encephalitis in Kentucky. This mosquito can spread the virus from infected squirrels and chipmunks to humans and primarily bites animals, including humans.
How to prevent mosquito-borne diseases
Refusing to be bitten by mosquitoes is the best defense against diseases spread by them. You can accomplish this by doing a few easy actions, like:
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Applying insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol to exposed skin and clothing, following the label instructions.
- Installing or repairing screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
- Eliminating or reducing sources of standing water around the house, such as buckets, barrels, tires, flower pots, bird baths, and gutters, where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
- Cleaning and changing the water in pet bowls, fountains, and birdbaths at least once a week.
- Covering rain barrels and cisterns with tight-fitting lids or screens.
- Treating ponds, pools, and ornamental water features with larvicides or fish that eat mosquito larvae, such as goldfish, guppies, or minnows.
- Reporting dead birds to the local health department, as they may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area.
Conclusion
Given their ability to spread fatal diseases to both humans and animals, mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous insects on the planet. Kentucky is susceptible to mosquito-borne illnesses including West Nile virus and La Crosse encephalitis, particularly in the warmer months when there is a peak mosquito population. Kentuckians should take efforts to prevent mosquito bites and get rid of mosquito breeding grounds near their homes in order to protect themselves and their children. They can enjoy the outdoors safely and lower their chance of contracting diseases carried by mosquitoes by doing this.
