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Mosquitoes more attracted to people infected with viruses like dengue and Zika, scientists say
Mosquitoes can be choosy about who they hang out with, swarming around some people while totally avoiding others.
Key points:
Dengue and Zika infections can alter the composition of skin bacteriaThis shift makes infected hosts smell more appealing to mosquitoesA common acne medication could hold the key to preventing bites and infectionsAnd it turns out some viral infections can make you especially attractive to the tiny blood suckers.A new study has found that getting infected with a virus li
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5th Jul 2022
How worried should we be about the mosquito-borne virus Japanese encephalitis?
https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/how-worried-should-we-be-about-the-mosquito-borne/13791452
1st Jul 2022
Where Do All the Mosquitoes Go in the Winter?
Summer evenings by the pool, lake or BBQ mean mosquitoes. But what about during winter when we’re mostly indoors? As the weather cools, these bloodsucking pests are rarely seen.But where do they go?Warm, wet conditions suit mosquitoesMosquitoes have complex life cycles that rely on water brought to wetlands, flood plains, and water-holding containers by seasonal rainfall. Depending on whether we’re experiencing a summer under the influence of El Niño or La Niña, mosquito populations will change
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28th Jun 2022
Sentinel chooks: why was Japanese encephalitis such a surprise?
VICTORIAN doctors who treated an infant with Japanese encephalitis in one of the state’s first cases have shared their experience, urging fellow clinicians to be mindful of the differential diagnoses. It raises the question: is the mosquito-borne disease here to stay?Doctors from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne described the case of a previously well 4-month-old boy who presented with febrile convulsions after a 2-day prodrome of fevers, reduced energy and feeding, which progressed to
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31st May 2022
How can I protect myself from Japanese Encephalitis (JEV)
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has been detected in Australia. Anyone who gets bitten by an infected mosquito is at risk of getting JEV. The good news is there are simple steps we can take to protect ourselves from mosquitoes: Remove water holding containers where mosquitoes may breed. Use a mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus and be sure to follow the label instructions. Wear long, loose fitting clothing. Light colored clothing is best. Properly fit mosqu
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4th May 2022