Mosquito-borne diseases are infectious diseases that are spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes carrying the pathogens. They include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria. Mosquitoes are among the vectors that transmit more than one in seven infectious diseases, causing around 700,000 deaths a year.BackgroundThe mosquito is named from the Spanish word meaning “small fly” and belongs to a group of around 3,600 species of small flies within the family Culicidae. Al …

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Spring just started, but already we’re coming up on prime time for mosquitoes in Central Texas.“It’s definitely picking back up and I’m not looking forward to it, but we’re still right before it gets bad, so I’ve been enjoying this walk without having to put mosquito repellent or anything on just yet,” said Neeti Swami from Round Rock.We typically have two mosquito seasons each year. The first from April into early summer and then again in the fall.“Usually we talk about mosquito …

The malaria parasite is well known for hijacking red blood cells in its potentially deadly quest to spread to its next unsuspecting victim via a mosquito bite.But scientists have discovered it has another surprising trick up its sleeve: it can lurk undetected in the spleen, which filters blood.Key points:Scientists had long suspected this finding but had no direct evidence until nowThe discovery rewrites what we know about the life cycle of this insidious parasite that infects millions of people …

Mosquitoes can breed in as little as 2 tablespoons of water! Even small containers can collect water and breed hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes, like bottles, tires, plant containers, children’s toys, barrels, buckets, bucket lids, and overturned garbage can lids. This is another reason why it is so important not to litter!Everyone can remove, reduce, and cover containers around their yards, homes, and businesses that hold water and can breed mosquitoes. This is called source reduction. So …

Artificial light abnormally increases mosquito biting behavior at night in a species that typically prefers to bite people during the day, according to research from the University of Notre Dame that was published in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.Increased biting by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which normally fly and bite in the early morning and during the afternoon, highlights the concern that increasing levels of light pollution could impact transmission of diseases such …