mosquitos

[jaymund]

a mosquito bite can cause malaria by a small parasite in warmer climates (africa ect) does anyone know what mosquitoes here are capable of apart from very swollen arms/legs ?

[Octavius]

As UK temperatures have risen, so has the potential threat from mosquitoes. There is some anecdotal evidence that the level of mosquito bites to humans has risen in the UK. The CIEH National Pest Advisory Panel has recently set up Mosquito Watch in the UK.

Mosquito bites in the UK are usually no more than a nuisance. Sometimes, however, things are more serious. The UK Health Protection Agency is currently concerned with the West Nile virus, which can be carried by birds and mosquitoes. In a study carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in 2001/2 it was found that 14.7% of UK birds (in East Anglia) had positive antibodies indicating that they had been exposed to West Nile disease. This virus in humans has been found in Africa, West Asia the Middle East, the U.S. and Europe. Most human victims will recover from the virus, which is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito. Occasionally more serious health problems and even death can result. In the UK, no cases have been reported yet, but the Health Protection Agency is keeping a watching brief.

[Buddy]

On a less scientific level - no offence - you need clever people here!!I was bitten to fxxk in Cuba last year.Ended up in a clinic in Ciba - not bad cos there were only about 30 at that time on my legs.By the time I fot off the plane in Glasgow (Ithink) we  had lost count at 150 and my legs were 3 times normal (some feat).Had to go to local RI and consultant hadnt seen such a mess.No-ones fault except we were told my travel agency we didnt need any jags.I am now scarred for life.What a mess.

Cuba is Fab and I would highly recommend.I was just unlucky/lucky whatever way you want to look at it.

[gen2]

As far as malaria is concerned, you will have to wait until Global Warming makes the climate amenable to the Anopheles mosquito.  Even then there is not a great risk since only about 6% of the 400 or so Anopheles species are capable of transmitting malaria.