August 20th is World Mosquito Day. This annual observance honors the discovery that Sir Ronald Ross made 115 years ago on this date, linking the transmission of Malaria via female mosquitoes. Ross was a British doctor working in India who was awarded a Nobel prize for medicine in 1902 for his breakthrough. His discovery laid the foundation for scientists to better understand the deadly role of mosquitoes, which have caused more than 1 million deaths worldwide.
Ross did extensive research on the malarial parasite and its complete life cycle, showing transmission via the bite of a mosquito. Today scholars believe mosquitoes are responsible for more deaths than any other single cause in human history.
The mosquito, though small, can be deadly. With the current outbreak of West Nile Virus here in Maryland and the greater Washington DC region, this rings close to home.
To find out more about World Malaria Day, visit the Malaria No More website.
And to find out more about West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases here in the mid-Atlantic, region, visit the Mosquito Squad website.
Mosquito Squad of Howard & Montgomery Maryland, is proud to help fight mosquito- and tick-borne disease here in Maryland through preventative measures. We offer targeted outdoor insect control services for both residential and commercial clients in Howard County and portions of Montgomery County, MD.To find out more information about our barrier treatment services and how you can “fight the bite” in your own backyard, please visit our website.