Officials say, as a respiratory virus, COVID-19 only spreads in certain ways.
Mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance. While it’s relatively rare for someone to contract a severe illness from a mosquito in the US and Canada, it’s certainly not something that’s unheard of. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mosquitoes have caused 60 outbreaks of malaria in the US during the past 50 years. Malaria was once par for the course when living in warmer parts of the US. Now, insecticides and window screens eliminate many cases. Mosquitoes do still spread illnesses like Zika, Dengue, and chikungunya in the country and its territories, however.
What about COVID-19? Here’s what we know.
Do mosquitoes spread COVID-19?
The good news is, while there are about 200 different types of mosquitoes alive in the US and its territories, just 12 types spread illnesses to people. And, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 isn’t one of them.
While there are some viruses that mosquitoes and other insects carry, the coronavirus doesn’t seem to be one of them and therefore cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites, says the World Health Organization. Because the novel coronavirus is a “new” illness, one could argue this isn’t entirely certain, but, to date, the data they have suggests COVID-19 doesn’t spread from person to person through mosquitoes.
COVID is a respiratory virus that spreads through infected droplets you come in contact with in the air and on surfaces. This being said, it’s still a good idea to protect yourself from mosquitoes in order to optimize your health.
Related: Coronavirus vs Allergies: How to Tell the Difference
Top tips: how to protect yourself from mosquitoes
Keeping the biting bugs at bay can require a bit of work. You can:
- Use mosquito repellent on your skin
- Wear mosquito-repellent clothing
- Wear light-colored clothing
- Install mosquito nets on your doors and windows
- Plant marigolds, calendula, rosemary, mint, and lemongrass near your patio
- Get a Thermacell Patio Shield
- Use yellow lights outside instead of white
- Light citronella candles
- Clear stagnant water on your property to remove breeding grounds
While none of these tactics will eliminate all mosquitoes, together they can help reduce the presence of mosquitoes around your home and reduce your chances of being bitten.
How to protect yourself from COVID-19 this summer
COVID-19 is still circulating in populations around the globe. In many countries, the most recent wave of the novel coronavirus has come down but the threat persists. In the US at the time of this writing, almost 300 people, on average, are dying from COVID-19 each day, and so we’re not out of the woods yet. You can best protect yourself from getting sick by doing the same things we’ve been told to do all along. You can:
- Get vaccinated against COVID
- Wear a mask in public indoor spaces
- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently
- Practice social distancing
If you or someone you know is suffering from worsening COVID-19 symptoms, seek immediate medical help. Enjoy your fun in the sun this summer, and stay safe.
photo credits: nechaevkon/Shutterstock.com
