Thirsty Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes appear to be more prone to bite during droughts and in arid climates because the insects need blood to stay hydrated, as well as for its protein content, new research reveals.
A team from the University of Cincinnati says the discovery could lead to new ways to fight mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, dengue and Zika.
While the stagnant pools of water that form when it rains produce ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, the disease-carrying pests are likely to become more aggressive when they dry up.
Lead researcher Chris Holmes believes that climate change could make periods of drought more frequent, increasing the health threat posed by mosquitoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment