What You Need To Know About Mosquito-Borne Diseases

 Mosquito Awareness Week reminds us that mosquitoes are more than just a summer nuisance. They are the deadliest animals on the planet and are responsible for the deaths of over 700,000 people every year. That’s more than sharks, snakes, and all other insects combined.

Mosquitoes are vectors, meaning they carry and transmit dangerous diseases from one host to another. Unlike other insects that sting or bite defensively, mosquitoes feed on human blood, often spreading viruses and parasites in the process. Some of the most serious illnesses spread by mosquitoes include:

• Malaria: Caused by a parasite, malaria kills more than 400,000 people annually, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Dengue Fever: Common in tropical regions, dengue can cause severe flu-like symptoms and even be fatal.

• Zika…