Can Mosquitoes Spread Coronavirus?
2020-04-27
The entire world is now devastated by the outbreak of COVID-19 or coronavirus. Doctors, scientists and researchers are deeply concerned and worried. Human civilization hasn't seen such a pandemic in the last hundred years. It's natural for panic to spread among people. And it has happened. Because, not only coronavirus, but about five hundred thousand people die worldwide every year from various mosquito-borne viral diseases. Additionally, millions of people fall ill from mosquito bites. Bangladesh is approaching the monsoon season. Meanwhile, mosquito infestations have increased in various parts of the country. There is fear of malaria from mosquito bites, as well as dengue.
In this situation, fear of coronavirus has gripped people's minds about whether mosquitoes can spread the new coronavirus. Along with this fear, various confusions about the virus are spreading. Naturally, various questions are circulating. One of them is: Can mosquitoes spread coronavirus?
The simple answer is no, they cannot. The World Health Organization says there is currently no information or evidence that the new coronavirus can be spread by mosquitoes. Although coronavirus can be detected by testing an infected person's blood, it is not spread by mosquitoes. At least so far, scientists have no information or evidence that mosquitoes can spread coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-02, MERS-CoV or the pandemic nCoV-2019).
The topic of discussion is that mosquitoes can spread many other types of viruses, such as:
- Malaria
- Dengue (4 serotypes)
- Chikungunya
- Yellow fever
- Zika
- Ross River virus
- West Nile fever
- Japanese encephalitis, etc.
Then why can't they spread coronavirus? Why can't they spread AIDS? Although it's true that Zika or HIV viruses can spread to another person through physical contact with an infected person.
Like various disease-causing viruses, coronavirus can also be present in human blood. Female mosquitoes feed on human blood. And through the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus enters the human body. However, this requires one step: the mosquito must first bite an infected animal, then when it bites a human, they can become infected. Since mosquitoes feed on blood from one infected person to another, coronavirus should theoretically spread this way. But it doesn't. Now the question is - since malaria spreads through blood, dengue spreads through blood, and mosquitoes suck blood from one person and immediately bite another, isn't there a risk of coronavirus infection?
Actually, not all viruses are spread or can be spread by mosquitoes, flies or insects. Similarly, although HIV, Ebola and other viruses are present in human blood, mosquitoes cannot spread them. Coronavirus is one of them. Although coronavirus is present in human blood, mosquitoes cannot spread it. However, this virus spreads from person to person. Humans are the carriers of coronavirus. This coronavirus spreads through human contact. After extensive testing, researchers have confirmed this. Coronavirus is a common respiratory viral infection.
There are two main reasons why mosquitoes cannot spread this disease. First, while malaria, Zika, West Nile fever germs can develop (complete their life cycle) in mosquito blood, this doesn't happen with coronavirus. Any virus cannot survive without a living host cell. Since this virus cannot establish itself or complete its life cycle in mosquitoes, mosquitoes cannot be carriers of coronavirus. Still, the question arises: can't an infected person's blood enter another person's body immediately through a mosquito's proboscis? Why wouldn't there be the same risk through a mosquito's proboscis?
Actually, mosquitoes suck blood from humans or other animals for their own survival needs (egg production and reproduction). Some viruses, like malaria, filaria, and Zika, take advantage of this opportunity to transmit themselves from one host to another through mosquitoes.
In this regard, epidemic experts' tests have shown that this new coronavirus is a virus related to respiration. It spreads through droplets or saliva particles released from an infected person's respiratory tract when they sneeze or cough, or through water particles released when they blow their nose. It also spreads through contact with infected surfaces.
Eric Jackson, an official from WHO's mosquito control department, said on this subject: "After a mosquito bites an infected person, the mosquito cannot replicate the virus in its own body, and the mosquito is not a carrier of this virus. Therefore, coronavirus doesn't occur from mosquito bites."
Based on this, scientists say that coronavirus cannot be spread by mosquitoes either. Moreover, COVID-19 is not a vector-borne disease. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease. However, definitive conclusions about this nCoV-2019 coronavirus cannot be made yet, as it is still undergoing various tests.
In this case, it is best to follow the advice given by the World Health Organization. Since WHO is coordinating the various initiatives taken by different countries' organizations to combat coronavirus worldwide, it is beneficial to rely on their information. Remember, the best way to stay protected from COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub or sanitizer. Also, avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with your hands. At the same time, avoid contact with people who have colds, fevers, sneezes or coughs.