When considering “the most dangerous animal in the world,” there are several obvious candidates, like the Great White Shark or the Hippopotomus? But, this title rests with an animal you’d least expect – the mosquito.

Mosquitoes are infamous. They have quite a reputation for ruining barbecues and birthday parties. But the most dangerous in the world? What is it that makes them so deadly?

Though tiny, these insects cause more deaths than any other animal on the planet. Not necessarily the mosquito itself, but the number of serious diseases it could carry.

Understanding more about mosquitoes and how they spread disease is important. It helps increase awareness of the dangers of mosquitoes and provides us with the knowledge we need to protect ourselves.

What happens when a mosquito bites?

Only female mosquitoes bite and suck blood, because the blood provides nutrients for their eggs. When a mosquito lands, it punctures the skin with two tubes, one draws blood, the other injects an enzyme to help prevent blood clotting. Most people have a minor allergy to this enzyme, which creates the small bump and itching.

Mosquitoes find their victims by detecting infrared radiation emitted by the warm blood inside of us, observing our movements, and using chemical signals. They also like smelly feet.

How do mosquitoes spread diseases?

Mosquitoes suck blood, like little vampires. We, as humans, take extreme precautions when possibly coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. But, mosquitoes can carry an infection to humans or animals without regulation or boundary.

Though there are over 3,000 species of mosquito, only a couple hundred feed on human blood, and then even further, there are three main species responsible for the transmission of human disease.

Mosquitoes spread diseases in a few ways. In general, the mosquito picks up the virus or fungi when it lands and bites. The mosquito then acts as a vehicle for the virus. The virus is even able to reproduce inside of the mosquito.

When the mosquito bites again, it transfers the virus through its saliva to the victim. In the case of malaria, a parasite will attach to the gut of a female mosquito and then enter a human or animal as she feeds.

Mosquitoes can travel up to a few miles carrying their “blood meals.” One breed, salt marsh mosquitoes, can travel up to 100 miles. As mosquitoes travel from one place to another, they carry diseases with them.

Mosquito and human movement is at fault for transmitting uncommon diseases to new places. Climate change also contributes, as changing climates push mosquitoes into new, more suitable, areas.

Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes:

Protect yourself against mosquitoes!

The CDC recommends individuals do the following to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:

• Use DEET– This repellent is the best way to protect against mosquitoes. A product containing 10% DEET can protect for up to 90 minutes before reapplication is needed.
• Wear the right clothing– Wear light colored clothes. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors. Be sure your clothing covers as much skin as possible to avoid mosquito bites.
• Avoid standing water– Try to avoid areas with ponds or other standing water where mosquitoes may breed. Get rid of as much standing water as possible around your house. Mosquitoes need water to breed and live. Some species can even breed in puddles after rainstorms if necessary.

Do you have questions about mosquitoes or are you wondering if you are at risk for Zika on your next adventure? Set up an appointment with a Passport Travel Health Specialist by calling or booking online now.

How do you avoid mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases? Feel free to comment below or contact us on Facebook or via Twitter!

Written for Passport Health by Adrienne St. Clair

It would be fairly safe to assume that if given a mauve bridesmaid’s dress or mauve curtains, most modern women would be less than enthusiastic. For years, the color mauve’s reputation has been far from fashion-forward, maybe even backward? But this wasn’t always the case.

Mauve enjoyed time in the limelight during the 19th century when the first synthetic dye mauveine, later nicknamed “mauve,” was accidentally and serendipitously discovered during the search for a malaria cure.

Malaria 101

Malaria is a serious, potentially fatal mosquito-borne parasitic disease. It is characterized most by symptoms that resemble a severe flu, including high fever and chills.

Today, about 1, 500 cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. These cases arrive with travelers coming from countries with high malaria transmission rates. Transmission is highest in warm, tropical climates, and especially in areas south of the Sahara desert and in South Asia.

Though still a concern today, malaria problems are incomparable to during 19th century colonialism. As the British marched into more tropical territories, malaria became widespread among colonists. Trade brought the disease back to Europe were it spread quickly.

Though there was a treatment (quinine), availability was limited. The only known natural source of this compound were cinchona trees in South America. Extraction of this compound from these cinchona trees was costly. There was a huge need to synthesize a cheap and more accessible treatment for the growing number of malaria cases.

In the Hands of a Teenager

In 1856, professor August Wilhelm Hoffman at Royal College of Chemistry saw this need as a promising opportunity. The professor gave his young student, William Perkin, the task of coming up with a solution.

Hoffman thought he had the solution to another problem, as well. He wanted Perkin to use the coal waste in the streets, a constant nuisance during the Industrial Revolution, as the main ingredient.

The 18 year-old Perkin set to work in a makeshift laboratory. After trying a couple different compounds to no avail, Perkin began working with a compound called aniline, one of the main byproducts of the coal waste. Again, he found nothing, but this time he was stuck with a tube full of thick, black goop. As he tried to clean out his test tube, he found that it was dyed purple. In fact, everything that touched the goop was stained. Perkin realized that, while he hadn’t discovered a synthetic treatment for malaria, he had discovered the first synthetic dye!

An Unexpected Discovery

Perkin’s discovery of synthetic dye was a welcome alternative to the centuries old natural dyes. Natural dyes were expensive and often difficult to use. This new synthetic dye was more affordable and accessible.

Historically dye, and especially purple dye, was hard to come by and was mostly associated with royalty and wealth. Now, the “common man” was able to use it as well.

Mauve became a fashion fad. French fashion icon Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, loved the color and had several dresses made using Perkin’s dye. Mauve became one of the most fashionable and sought after colors in Victorian Britain. In fact, the fashion trend spread so quickly that it became known as the “mauve measles.”

The fashion fad didn’t last past the 20th century. But, Perkin’s synthetic dye discovery still had strong implications. We still use synthetic dyes today.

Perkins never discovered a new malaria cure. That didn’t happen until 1934 when a scientist at Bayer laboratories, developed chloroquine. The advancement in other antimalaria drugs helped decrease the number of cases in Europe and throughout the world.

Do you have more questions about malaria or are you traveling to a place where malaria transmission is high? Read more about malaria here. Feel free to contact a Passport Health travel health specialist by calling or book online now.

What do you think about this happy accident? Feel free to comment below or share this article on Facebook or via Twitter.

Written for Passport Health by Adrienne St. Clair

Peru is a top travel destination in the world. With its ruins, trails, and jungles, Peru attracts over 3 million visitors in a year. Like most other excursions, travel to The Land of the Incas requires proper precautions. There are certain health risks to be aware of, such as yellow fever.

What is Yellow Fever?

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness. The illness can range from mild to severe with organ damage. Symptoms usually develop 3-6 days after infection. The first developed symptoms usually include:

• Sudden onset of fever
• Chills
• Severe headache
• Body aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness
• Fatigue

Many people begin to improve after the initial display of infection.

About 15 percent of cases progress into a more severe form of the disease. Serious symptoms such as a hemorrhagic fever and jaundice develop. The infection can lead to shock and organ failure. Death occurs in 20 to 50 percent of severe cases.

There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. It is always best to vaccinate against yellow fever before leaving to be better safe than sorry.

Is the Yellow Fever Vaccine Required for Peru?

A yellow fever certificate of vaccination is not required for entry into any region of Peru. But, some regions are at a much higher risk than others, and yellow fever vaccination is recommended by the CDC.

All travelers 9 months and older going to the following regions of Peru should receive the yellow fever vaccine:

• Amazonas
• Loreto
• Madre de Dios
• San Martin
• Ucayali
• Puno
• Cusco
• Junin
• Pasco
• Huanuco

The vaccine is also recommended in designated areas of some other regions. You can check with your travel health specialist to be certain of your risk before traveling.

Other countries, like as Ecuador and Paraguay, require a yellow fever certificate of vaccination when arriving from Peru or other countries with a high risk of yellow fever infection. Depending on your travel itinerary after leaving Peru, you may need proof of vaccination.

What is the Yellow Fever Vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine is the most important preventive measure against yellow fever. It is safe, affordable, and effective for 10 years after injection. Reactions to the vaccine are mild, if any are to occur.

If you are considering vaccination, Passport Health is an approved yellow fever vaccination center. After vaccination, you will receive an International Certificate of Vaccination for your travels.

What Other Health Risks Are in Peru?

All travelers going to Peru should be up to date on their routine vaccinations. Other recommended vaccines for Peru include Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Rabies.

Malaria and zika are also present in Peru, so take precautions to avoid these mosquito-borne illnesses. The following are tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, as well as a hat and boots.
• Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent.
• Stay in enclosed places with air conditioning that use window and door screens. If you may be exposed to mosquitoes when sleeping, use a mosquito bed net.

Traveling to Peru?

If you are planning to travel to Peru and are considering vaccination, you can talk to a Passport Health travel specialist about your concerns. Schedule an appointment by calling or booking online today.

Have you ever been to Peru? Tell us about your visit in the comments below, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

Doctors recommended seniors receive the pneumococcal vaccination for some years. It is not routinely given to those under the age of 65 unless a person is at an increased risk for the disease. But, new research suggests the vaccine is a healthy choice for those at any age with celiac disease.

What Is Celiac Disease?

Those with celiac disease have a hypersensitivity to gluten. This can lead to damage in their small intestine. When people with celiac eat gluten, their body triggers an immune response. The body begins attacking the small intestine, classifying the disease as an autoimmune disorder. This disease is hereditary, and can be difficult to diagnose.

The only treatment for those with celiac disease is a lifelong, strict gluten-free diet.

Why Vaccinate Against Pneumonia If I Have Celiac Disease?

Doctors in the United Kingdom researched the link between pneumonia and celiac disease. In a more than 100,000 person study, they found compelling results.

Participants with celiac disease were at a higher risk of contracting pneumonia, 28 percent more likely to fall ill. This risk appears to be the highest near the time of celiac diagnosis.

The increased risk was only in patients under the age of 65. The CDC recommends pneumonia vaccination at this age.

Why Are People with Celiac More Susceptible to Pneumonia?

There is some evidence that those with celiac disease may have a weakened spleen. The spleen is vital to the body for fighting off infections. So, celiac disease patients may be more susceptible to certain illnesses, such as pneumonia.

Thinking of Getting Your Pneumonia Vaccination?

If you have not received a pneumonia vaccine, you may need one. Especially if you have celiac disease.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs in which the air sacs of one or both lungs become inflamed. It is a common sickness, with more than 3 million cases a year. It can become a life-threatening infection to infants, children, and those over the age of 65. The pneumonia vaccine is the best form of protection against the disease.

The PCV13 is a pneumococcal vaccination that protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The PPSV23 pneumonia vaccine protects against 23 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. You can review an adult immunization schedule recommended by the CDC to learn more if you have not yet been vaccinated.

Passport Health offers the pneumonia vaccine at all our clinics across North America. If you are uncertain of your vaccination history, you can get a titer test to learn if you are immune. Your local Passport Health clinic can help both items. Book your appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

Have you ever had pneumonia and/or are you diagnosed with celiac disease? Leave your comments below, on Facebook, or via Twitter.