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