Mosquito borne diseases are on the rise within the U.S. We’ll discover out which illnesses are most typical and what individuals can do to guard themselves.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Mosquitoes aren’t only a nuisance. Current headlines remind us that they will also be a severe well being concern. Instances of jap equine encephalitis in New England have shut down some public parks in Massachusetts and killed one individual in New Hampshire. In the meantime, Dr. Anthony Fauci is recovering from West Nile virus, one other mosquito-borne illness. Becoming a member of us now could be NPR well being correspondent Maria Godoy. Hello, Maria.
MARIA GODOY, BYLINE: Hello, Ailsa.
CHANG: Hello. OK, we’ll discuss mosquitoes for the subsequent jiffy. What are you able to inform us about this virus that is spreading in New England?
GODOY: So jap equine encephalitis is admittedly uncommon. That is the excellent news.
CHANG: OK.
GODOY: However in the event you do get it, it is fairly severe. A few third of individuals contaminated die, and others can expertise extreme medical issues. You get it from a mosquito chunk, and it assaults the central nervous system. And whereas it is getting lots of consideration proper now, it is really not all that widespread within the U.S. There are lots of different mosquito-borne illnesses that researchers fear about.
CHANG: OK, nice. What else ought to we be worrying about?
GODOY: Nicely, West Nile virus, for starters, as you talked about. Our nation’s former prime infectious illness professional was simply hospitalized for this illness. He is on the mend now. Dr. Desiree LaBeaud is a professor at Stanford who research mosquito-borne illnesses. And she or he says West Nile is the largest concern within the U.S. proper now.
DESIREE LABEAUD: West Nile is the most typical mosquito-borne illness, fingers down. That is the one that individuals ought to actually be enthusiastic about. However there are many different infections.
GODOY: Like malaria, Zika, dengue. There’s really been a number of instances of domestically acquired dengue within the U.S. this yr.
CHANG: Wow. Wait, do we all know why we’re seeing these illnesses on the rise?
GODOY: Nicely, mosquitoes love scorching climate, and it has been a scorching summer time.
CHANG: Yeah.
GODOY: And because the world warms, mosquito-borne diseases are rising, and never simply within the U.S. however in Central and South America and Europe too. It is sophisticated, however researchers say local weather change is certainly an element.
CHANG: Nicely, what can individuals do to guard themselves?
GODOY: Nicely, you could keep away from getting bitten by mosquitoes, clearly. And meaning avoiding the outside when they’re most energetic – at daybreak and after nightfall. And once you do exit, cowl up. I spoke to Dr. Peter Hotez. He is the dean of the Nationwide College of Tropical Drugs at Baylor School of Drugs, which is within the Gulf Coast, the place it’s actually scorching. However he nonetheless goes out fully lined up.
PETER HOTEZ: I am really lined in a long-sleeve hoodie and sweatpants and socks and sneakers and a hat. And naturally, individuals take a look at me like I am loopy as a result of it is so scorching, and everybody’s in shorts.
(LAUGHTER)
GODOY: The – yeah.
CHANG: That sounds sweltering.
GODOY: And, , he additionally covers his uncovered pores and skin with an insect repellent like DEET. And, , there’s additionally permethrin, which is an insect repellent you can spray in your garments. , different issues to do – you wish to be certain your window screens haven’t any holes. And eliminate standing water, each outdoor and indoors, as a result of that is the place mosquitoes wish to breed.
CHANG: After all. That’s NPR’s Maria Godoy. Thanks a lot, Maria.
GODOY: My pleasure.
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