5 Myths To Squish About The Aedes Mosquito
Worried about dengue season? Here are five common misconceptions about the Aedes mosquito readily believed that you should ignore.
Even at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, we couldn't ignore the other major health scare that was going on and which keeps coming back – dengue. Every year, this mosquito-borne illness becomes such a menace, areas of Singapore become designate as hot zones and fumigating around condos, green areas and ponds becomes the norms.
As someone who lives in one of those hot zones, with a toddler who loves to be outdoors, knowing that dengue seasons is upon on usually results in panic and bulk purchases of mosquito patches. So it was good to find out more about what to believe about the insect that causes the disease - and what to ignore.
Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive of the Science Centre Board says, "While many Singaporeans are aware of basic dengue prevention methods (e.g. turning over pails, breaking up hardened soil in potted plants, drain out flowerpot plates, etc.), our effort seeks to deepen that understanding in a lighthearted manner, especially for families with children."
For that reason, the centre has put out a list of myths about the Aedes mosquito that parents (and people in general) would do well to take note of. Oddly enough there are lots of myths about dengue prevention floating around. "Indeed, I have such as consuming coconut oil or apple cider vinegar helps repel mosquitoes. Another more common (but probably not as strange or crazy) misconception many have is about dengue being contagious. The truth is that dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito causes dengue fever."
With all this in mind, continuing reading for the five biggest myths about the Aedes mosquito according to the Science Centre Singapore.
Have you ever heard the saying “mosquitoes are attracted to sweet blood”? If you’re a fan of bubble tea, do not worry! It’s not the sugar or sweetness in your blood that attracts the mosquito but your blood type. Studies have suggested that mosquitoes are attracted to individuals with Type O and Type B blood. If you find yourself under the constant attack of nasty bites, avoid wearing colours such as black or red - mosquitoes are attracted to them.
It is possible to be infected with dengue more than once. There are four different strains of the virus, and a person only builds immunity to the particular strain that they are infected with. It is also likely for dengue reinfections to be more fatal than previous ones. In the battle against dengue, prevention is better than cure. If you’re going on long walks, or taking a stroll at the park, do it with a mosquito patch or spray on some repellent. A little effort goes a long way.
Though both dengue and COVID-19 share similar symptoms, it is possible to be co-infected with both viruses at the same time. As a matter of fact, contracting both viruses may also cause tremendous stress on the body, leading to catastrophic outcomes. If you’re under the suspicion of being co-infected with both viruses, it’s always a good idea to get tested for your personal safety, and to keep your family and loved ones safe.
We’re all familiar with the Aedes mosquitoes laying eggs on stagnant water in roof gutters and flower pots. But did you know that the Aedes mosquitoes can also lay eggs in tiny puddles of water as small as a 20-cent coin? They can even lay eggs in pockets of water trapped in the crevices between floor tiles. As a rule of thumb, it’s always wise to keep things dry.
You may feel fulfilled and dengue-free after purchasing that shiny new bug zapper during the latest Mega Sale Day on your favourite e-commerce platform. Unfortunately, the Aedes mosquito isn’t attracted to the UV light in most bug zappers. To make matters worse, the bug zapper may even be killing useful and harmless insects, taking a toll on our ecosystem. To drive away mosquitoes, you may consider using fragrances such as citronella, lemon or lavender to repel them instead.