World Mosquito Day is celebrated annually on August 20th. This day commemorates British doctor, Sir Ronald Ross, and his discovery in 1897 that female mosquitos transmit malaria. World Mosquito Day celebrations are organized by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to pay tribute to the revolutionary work of Sir Ross and scientists who have followed his work since 1930. The intention is to educate and make people aware of the causes of malaria and how we can fight to prevent this disease. World Mosquito Day also involves fundraising for exploration into how to cure malaria.
Mosquitoes are dangerous, and because they’re so common, we often fail to realize that they are one of the deadliest insects in the world, causing millions of deaths annually. Below we will discuss West Nile Virus.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus that was first discovered in 1927 in the West Nile sub-region of Uganda. The first severe occurrences of WNV were noticed in the mid-1990s in Algeria and Romania. It is usually spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito that has previously fed upon an infected bird. The most cases of WNV happen during the start of the summer season when mosquitoes are most active. Over 150 species of mosquitoes are known to carry this virus. However, Culex Pipiens, Culex Tarsalis and Culex Quinquefasciatus are the main vector species in the United States that are predominantly active during the summer months.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus Infection
There are no specific symptoms of West Nile Virus. Most people show no signs of infection, making it difficult to identify.
However, approximately 20% of patients who are affected by WNV suffer from flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache, muscle pain and swollen lymph glands. Some patients may face drowsiness and disorientation. Fewer cases of West Nile Encephalitis or Meningitis have even resulted in coma, convulsions, paralysis, tremors and even death.
Treatment of West Nile Virus Infection
Currently, there is no WNV vaccine available. Those who suffer from mild symptoms normally recover completely within several weeks. People with severe symptoms are hospitalized for further treatment and proper care.
What are severe symptoms of WNV?
WNV can severely affect the central nervous system, resulting in several other serious neurological diseases. The inflammation of the brain is caused by diseases such as West Nile Poliomyelitis, West Nile Meningitis and West Nile Encephalitis. These diseases can be fatal in some cases, affecting the spinal cord and even surrounding tissues. Therefore, consulting a physician on time is extremely critical.
Get rid of deadly Mosquitos!
If you are looking for Mosquito Control in San Antonio, contact Accurate Pest Control. We use the cutting-edge Mist-away™ system to prevent health threats by stopping mosquitoes from breeding. This system is extremely efficient at mosquito control, helping get rid of mosquito’s safely and preventing further infestation.