If West Nile virus can be transmitted by a tiny mosquito can the C19 virus be passed from person to person the same way.
I know the current thinking is that C19 is passed from person when they exhale. I’m sure no one knows everything about this virus yet
Would really suck if the virus can be spread in other ways
I saw my first mosquito of 2020 already... got me thinking about bug bites.
Guess malaria needs to be mentioned too. At least we have a treatment for that
April 22, 2020
It's extremely unlikely mosquitoes can transmit COVID-19, Purdue professor says
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/rel...-transmit-covid-19-purdue-professor-says.html
transmitted by mosquitoes, a Purdue University professor says.
In the swells of information that have surrounded the COVID-19 pandemic, Catherine Hill, a professor of entomology and vector biology, said one question that keeps popping up is whether animals, including mosquitoes, can infect humans with the virus. Scientists around the world are currently assessing if mosquitoes pose a risk in terms of COVID-19 transmission, but so far there is no evidence to support this idea and, for many reasons, it is extremely unlikely mosquitoes are able to transmit the virus.
“It is early days but we’re always looking at things from a risk management and assessment perspective and I think the risk is very low,” Hill added.
COVID-19 belongs to the coronavirus family and other viruses in this family, including SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), are not transmitted through mosquitoes.
“There is no biological reason to believe another member of the family would be an exception,” Hill said.
Hill has a few messages to help inform and allay fears:
While research is still ongoing into primary routes of transmission, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is a “respiratory virus” and is primarily transmitted by “aerosol” route; sneezing/coughing and touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. Although it has been detected at low levels in the blood, there is no evidence it can be transmitted via bite from a mosquito.
It’s true that mosquitoes can transmit some viruses such as dengue and Zika, but mosquitoes don’t transmit all viruses, for example viruses like HIV, Ebola, and coronaviruses.
For a mosquito to become infected with SARS-CoV-2, it would have to feed on the blood of an infected person, acquire the virus, which would have to pass into the midgut of the mosquito, infect the salivary glands, replicate and then be passed to another person during a second blood meal. This whole process takes 10-14 days and during this time a virus would have to overcome physical and physiological barriers. There is no biological evidence that any virus in the coronavirus family is capable of achieving this feat. Transmission is a remote possibility.
As the Northern Hemisphere transitions into summer, Hill continued, it’s important that people remain vigilant about tick and mosquito-borne diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus and Lyme disease.
“That’s one area of concern, that if everyone’s bandwidth is taken up with COVID-19 there won’t be enough attention afforded to these other diseases,” Hill said.
For those looking for credible up-to-date information about COVID-19 transmission myths and facts, Hill recommended resources from The World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With the continuation of social distancing, however, and people keeping closer to home and more indoors, Hill did say it’s possible this year will see a decrease in vector-borne diseases simply because COVID-19 precautions will limit the public’s general exposure.
“Nevertheless, if you are walking or gardening or generally spending time outdoors, try to avoid activities during peak mosquito biting times (dusk/dawn), avoid tick habitat, wear long pants/shirt and make sure to wear repellent,” Hill said. “It really does help.”
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Just in case the expert is wrong !
Get Scent that repelled mosquitoes
1. CITRONELLA
This is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think about mosquito repelling scents. Citronella oil, which comes from the lemongrass plant, is commonly used in commercial bug sprays and candles. It features a lemon-like citrusy scent that is irritating to mosquitoes, but wonderfully pleasant to people. Lemongrass can be planted outside your home as an attractive, yet effective repellent. Additionally, citronella oil can be applied directly on your skin or paired with other essential oils to make your own natural deterrent.
scents that repel mosquitoes mint
2. PEPPERMINT
Minty fragrances are unpleasant to a mosquito’s keen senses. The mere presence of peppermint plants can ward off these pesky flying insects to some degree. You can also turn peppermint into a personal repellent by crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin. Mosquitoes won’t be able to tolerate your presence! Additionally, if you do get a bug bite you will find that peppermint oil is effective at relieving itches.
PS. Or just get
OFF spray if you comfortable using that!
PPS Note they say it is unlikely that mean extremely low risk or low risk but it not zero risk!
I myself will be using mint lotion like during evening and early morning when mosqotoe known to bite and when I go outside? Better error in side of caution until a vaccine come out! You you get mint lotion from Amazon or any Health Food store like ( Noah) or maybe a drugstore.
