One man recalls a fight for his life that all started with a tiny mosquito.
What happened?
In 2007, Glendale, Arizona, resident David Hancock began to feel very ill, suddenly developing a fever and vomiting. When he arrived at the hospital, it took doctors 10 days to diagnose him. Meanwhile, he fell into a coma, suffered heart failure, his lungs filled with fluid and his brain became inflamed.
“I was on the other side, with one foot in another world,” he told Deutsche Welle, summarizing his experience with West Nile virus, a disease that can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.
Why is West Nile virus a concern?
While most people infected with West Nile virus may never know it, one in five people will experience body aches and other flu-like symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Others, like Hancock, suffered more worrying results. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,300 Americans infected with West Nile virus each year develop serious illness affecting the central nervous system. More than 130 of them eventually died, the agency added.
Meanwhile, cases of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Zika are increasing as rising global temperatures help mosquitoes move into new territories and extend their active seasons. West Nile virus surges have occurred in many parts of the country this year: Bell County, Texas, reported six positive tests in six weeks, a surge in cases in parts of Utah resulted in one death, and the number of reported cases nationwide in September was 40% higher than usual.
What measures are being taken against mosquito-borne diseases?
One of the most important things anyone can do to avoid getting sick is to prevent mosquito bites. The CDC recommends using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellent; wearing long, loose-fitting clothing and treating with permethrin when outside; and taking steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside the home.
Many agencies assist with mosquito eradication efforts by spraying in local communities when needed. Some cities and counties are also taking more creative approaches to mosquito control. For example, one county in Florida is using X-rays to sterilize male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This species can carry a variety of mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever and Zika virus.
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