Tuesday 5 February 2013

Malaria & Mosquitoes

Malaria & Mosquitoes

Only female mosquitoes are known to carry the parasites that are known to cause Malaria. When a person is bitten by a mosquito that carries them their blood is infected with the parasites. They will find their way through the body to the liver where they will incubate for several weeks. Then the parasites will travel among the red blood cells and the result will be your body becoming severely ill until those parasites have been removed.

Female mosquitoes are on the hunt for a meal of blood due to the need they have for it. They must have a good supply of blood on a regular basis in order to produce enough protein for her eggs to be healthy. While the female mosquito is taking blood from a human, the salivary glands are touching the person. This is where the parasites come from and enter through the bite location that the mosquito has made.

There are more than 3,500 different species of mosquitoes that have been identified in locations around the world. It is estimated that approximately 40 of them are able to successfully transfer the parasites to humans that cause Malaria. The majority of them are found in third world countries. There is a concern as these species of mosquitoes reproduce rapidly. They can lay up to 200 eggs at one time so efforts are made to reduce the number of them out there.

There are various insecticides offered out there that strive to reduce the number of mosquitoes in an area. Yet their survival instincts certainly do kick in. They are able to evolve enough to become resistant to various insecticides. As a result it keeps researchers on their toes. They have to develop more effective products to kill them. At the same time though they have to make sure the environment is protected from harm.

Anyone who has suffered from Malaria will tell you that it is definitely worth every effort to prevent Malaria than to have to get treatment for it. Those that will be in locations where Malaria is possible need to take precautions. They need to get vaccinations and take tables that can prevent Malaria. They also need to wear plenty of repellent with DEET and long sleeved clothing.

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