| If there's one insect that can truly be | | | | gutters, refrigerator drip pans, and |
| called a pest, it's the mosquito. | | | | other places that collect rainwater. |
| Incredible as it sounds, this tiny | | | | Many factors contribute to the spread of |
| insect can cause a host of diseases | | | | dengue. These include climate changes |
| ranging from malaria, filariasis, yellow | | | | brought about by the El Nino phenomenon, |
| fever, and encephalitis (the | | | | increasing urban populations, and |
| inflammation of the brain). | | | | poverty. Mosquito breeding sites have |
| One of the most common diseases | | | | also increased due to poor water storage |
| transmitted by mosquitoes is dengue and | | | | and sewage systems, uncollected garbage, |
| it's found in over 40 countries. Since | | | | and infrastructure projects with |
| it first appeared in Southeast Asia in | | | | stagnant pools. Mass transportation has |
| the 1950s, dengue outbreaks have | | | | made it easier for mosquitoes to reach |
| increased and have been reported in | | | | other areas and move infected humans. |
| Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Burma, and | | | | There are two forms of dengue. Dengue |
| Thailand. | | | | fever is a severe flu-like illness that |
| Over 2.5 million people are at risk, | | | | affects older children and adults but is |
| according to the World Health | | | | rarely fatal. It's characterized by |
| Organization (WHO). Millions of | | | | sudden high fever, headache, pain behind |
| infections occur yearly and about | | | | the eyes that worsens with movement, and |
| 500,000 people are hospitalized because | | | | muscle and joint pains. Later, a |
| of dengue. Ninety-five percent of those | | | | measles-like rash appears on the chest |
| affected are children. | | | | and upper limbs and there is nausea and |
| Not all mosquitoes transmit the dengue | | | | vomiting. |
| virus. There are over 160 different | | | | The more severe form of the disease is |
| species but only two cause trouble: the | | | | dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) which is |
| Aedes albopictus and more commonly, the | | | | fatal in children. Its symptoms are |
| Aedes aegypti. Only female mosquitoes | | | | similar to dengue fever but it causes |
| bite and they're active two hours after | | | | bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums |
| sunrise and two hours before sunset. | | | | and shock leading to death. Other signs |
| Mosquitoes normally feast on nectar and | | | | of DHF are severe stomach pain, pale, |
| plant juices. The female needs blood to | | | | cold or clammy skin, frequent vomiting, |
| nourish its eggs. It becomes infected | | | | sleepiness, excessive thirst, rapid weak |
| with the dengue virus when it bites a | | | | pulse, and difficulty in breathing. |
| person suffering from the disease. The | | | | If you suspect you have dengue or DHF, |
| infected mosquito then spreads the | | | | see a doctor immediately. Up to 20 |
| disease when it bites others. | | | | percent of people with severe dengue or |
| "There is no way to tell if a mosquito | | | | DHF may die if not properly diagnosed |
| is carrying the dengue virus, therefore | | | | and treated. To keep your body strong |
| people must protect themselves from all | | | | and healthy, eat right and follow a |
| mosquito bites," warned WHO. | | | | regular exercise program. To help you |
| Dengue mosquitoes like to hide in | | | | lose weight, take Phenocal, a safe, |
| closets and other dark places. Outside, | | | | natural, and effective weight loss |
| they prefer cool and shaded areas such | | | | supplement that boosts your metabolism, |
| as school grounds, park, and malls. The | | | | suppresses your appetite, reduces food |
| female breeds in anything that holds | | | | cravings, and increases energy levels to |
| stagnant water like barrels, drums, old | | | | keep you in shape. |
| tires, pots, flower vases, bottles, roof | | | | |