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    A female mosquito of the Culicidae family (Culiseta longiareolata) Photo by Alvesgaspar; Free Use Photo.

RX for Your Good Health May 28

Ready for Summer? Mosquitos don’t carry COVID-19, but...
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You’ll be glad to learn it’s extremely unlikely that mosquitos can transmit COVID-19.

Believe or not, here comes summer -- something we forgot to look forward to because of some unusual circumstances called “coronavirus.”

They call it “novel,” but don’t think its novel in a good way. This dastardly form of the flu has stolen the beauty of spring, not to mention spring sports…and if we allow it, coronavirus will do it’s best to wreck the summer, too, so it’s a good idea to keep social distancing and masking when you step outside the door.

While you try to figure out how to properly (and safely) celebrate summer, you’ve probably started to realize some of summer’s worst pests — mosquitoes — have already started creeping back into our lives. I was curious when I saw a mosquito crawling on my arm a few days ago. 

Your first question is probably this: since mosquitos carry around diseases like West Nile Virus and Zika and Malaria, do mosquitos pass around COVID-19, too?  

You’ll be glad to learn it’s extremely unlikely that mosquitos can transmit COVID-19.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states on its site (cdc.gov): “At this time, CDC has no data to suggest that this new coronavirus or other similar coronaviruses are spread by mosquitoes or ticks. The main way that COVID-19 spreads is from person to person.”

According to Johns Hopkins University researchers, there are very select viruses that can be actually spread by mosquitoes, but COVID-19 is a respiratory virus. It doesn’t get picked up by mosquitoes who drink our blood, and it’s not transmitted from person to person by a mosquito. So, no, there’s no evidence that this spreads through mosquitoes.

The World Health Organization squashed the myth as well. “To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes,” WHO said. “The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. 

“To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.”

COVID-19 may be subsiding in our area, but we’re all still susceptible. Wear masks, wash hands, stay away from great gatherings of folks. History tells us pandemics are not just one-off’s. Expect another one or two waves. 

 

 

Dripping Springs Century-News

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