Mosquitoes can be dangerous to human health, as they are known to transmit several different diseases. In metropolitan France in 2023, the tiger mosquito was present in 71 out of 101 departments. They can transmit viruses such as dengue fever, chikungunya or Zika to humans.
Let’s take a look at the most common diseases transmitted by mosquitoes:
- Malaria: This is a potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus. It is common in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
- Dengue Fever: A viral infection transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It causes fever, muscle and joint pain, and skin rashes. In some cases, it can lead to a serious form called dengue hemorrhagic fever.
- Chikungunya: Another viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, severe joint pain, and a rash. In some cases, joint pain may persist for several months or even years.
- Zika virus: A viral infection transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Although Zika virus symptoms are usually mild, it can cause serious complications in pregnant women, including birth defects in the fetus.
Apart from these diseases, mosquitoes can also transmit other infections like West Nile fever, Eastern equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, etc.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes and reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended to take the following measures:
Use mosquito repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), IR3535 or picaridin.
You can also try some essential oils such as Neem oil, Tea tree, Lavender oil or citronella. Burning these in a diffuser or applying them to your skin can work as a deterrent. You may want to try adding a few drops to a base oil such as coconut oil to avoid irritation. Be careful anyway if you suffer from allergies, as essential oils can be very strong.
Wear long, flowing, light clothing that covers the skin.
Install mosquito nets on windows and doors, and use mosquito nets for sleeping.
Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially during times when they are most active, such as at sunrise and sunset.
Eliminate stagnant water around your home, as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
If you have a lawn, keep your grass short, as mosquitoes love long, humid, grass.
You can also try leaving shallow bowls of soapy water around your home. Mosquitoes are attracted to water and the soap means that once they get into the water, they cannot escape.
It's also a good idea to check with local health authorities for recommendations specific to your area, as mosquito-borne diseases vary by geographic location.
The advice from Womensdestiny, the natural way!
