World Mosquito Day to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Mosquito Control
In honor of World Mosquito Day, observed annually on August 20, the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is working to increase awareness of the importance of mosquito control and encourages the public to visit the AMCA Web site, http://www.mosquito.org, for important mosquito information.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., August 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In honor of World Mosquito Day, observed annually on August 20, the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is working to increase awareness of the importance of mosquito control and encourages the public to visit the AMCA Web site, http://www.mosquito.org, for important mosquito information.
World Mosquito Day originated in 1897 by Dr. Ronald Ross of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. After dissecting mosquitoes known to have fed on a patient with malaria, Ross discovered the malaria parasite in the stomach wall of the mosquito. Through further research using malarious birds, Ross was able to ascertain the entire life cycle of the malarial parasite, including its presence in the mosquito's salivary glands. Ross confirmed that malaria is transmitted from infected birds to healthy ones by the bite of a mosquito, a finding that suggested the disease's mode of transmission to humans. For his findings, Ross is credited with the discovery of the transmission of malaria by the mosquito, and was honored with a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1902.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide each year, and more than one million people die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism, and afflict not only humans, but animals as well. In addition, Zika Virus has infected millions in the Western Hemisphere over the past few years and now threatens the United States.
AMCA Technical Advisor, Joe Conlon states, "Mosquitoes remain the number one killer of humans on this planet. As humans come into increasing contact with exotic diseases as travel, trade and tourism proliferate, we would do well to appreciate the vital role mosquito control efforts play in keeping our children, families and communities safe from preventable disease," Jason Kinley, President of the American Mosquito Control Association, agrees, and further states, "The world needs mosquito control. Without it, human health, human food supplies, and overall human welfare would be unrecognizably poor."
The American Mosquito Control Association is the number one resource for mosquito and mosquito control information. The AMCA Web site, http://www.mosquito.org, contains valuable information, such as tips for controlling mosquitoes around the home, what attracts mosquitoes, information on repellants, and more.
The American Mosquito Control Association is an international, scientific association of nearly 1,500 public health professionals dedicated to preserving the public's health and well-being through safe, environmentally sound mosquito control. Founded in 1935, membership extends to more than 50 countries, and includes individuals and public agencies engaged in mosquito control, mosquito research and related activities.
For more information about AMCA or World Mosquito Day, contact AMCA Headquarters: phone: 888-626-0630; amca(at)mosquito(dot)org or visit the Web site at http://www.mosquito.org.
AMCA technical advisor Joseph Conlon is available for interviews at 904-215-9660 or conlonamcata(at)gmail(dot)com.
SOURCE American Mosquito Control Association
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