World Mosquito Day
About World Mosquito Day
When is World Mosquito Day? This holiday is always celebrated on August 20
Bring out the mosquito netting. Grab the bug spray and the citronella candles. World Mosquito Day is today. This August 20 holiday commemorates the day when the relationship between mosquitos and malaria was identified. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasitic protozoans. Malaria causes debilitating illness and even death.
On this day in 1897, British doctor Sir Ronald Ross discovered the link between mosquitos and the transmission of malaria. Ross also identified that the female Anopheles mosquito transmits the disease. In 1902, Ross was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his discovery.
About 1,500 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year. The vast majority of these cases are travelers and immigrants entering the U.S. from parts of the world where malaria is common.
The goal of this special day is to raise awareness of the causes of Malaria and to learn methods of prevention. With the knowledge that mosquitoes carry other diseases, most notably the dangerous Zika virus, it is even more important today, to be aware, and to understand the necessity of avoiding coming in contact with mosquitos.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine celebrates World Mosquito Day annually, since the 1930s, They hold exhibitions and parties designed to entertain and inform people.
Did You Know? At least two million people die each year from malaria and other mosquito born diseases.
Mosquito Trivia
- They transmit malaria. encephalitis, meningitis, and West Nile diseases.
- Only the females bite.
- The females lay their eggs in stagnant or standing water.
- Actually, mosquitos do not bite. They suck.
- Males live 10 days, while females live about 2 months.
- Most mosquitoes stay within a few hundred feet of where they are hatched.
- It would take 1.2 million mosquito bites to drain the blood from the average-sized person.
- They have CO2 detectors that attract them to the breath birds and mammals exhale.
- They are also drawn to heat.
- Mosquito saliva causes an itchy bump on the skin.
- There are over 3,500 species. But, don’t worry. Only 175 species are in the United States.
- Mosquitoes hibernate when temperatures fall below 50° F.
How to Celebrate and Participate in World Mosquito Day
Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate and Participate in World Mosquito Day:
- Learn and educate others about malaria and how to prevent it.
- Learn more about how to control them.
- Eliminate places in your yard where that hold water or where standing water can accumulate.
- Wear insect repellent when going outside at night, or when going into a forest.
Today's Chuckle
I removed all of the fattening foods from my house. It was delicious!
History and Origin of World Mosquito Day
Sir Ronald Ross declared the annual observance of World Mosquito Day. He did so shortly after he discovered the linkage between mosquitos and malaria. Ross felt that this day should be known as World Mosquito Day in future years, to act as a reminder of the educational importance of knowing that mosquitos transmit malaria.
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on this day:
- President Andrew Johnson formally declares the Civil War is over. (1866)
- British doctor Sir Ronald Ross. discovers the link between mosquitos and the transmission of malaria. See World Mosquito Day. (1897)
- Benjamin Harrison, 23rd U.S. President, was born on this day in 1833.
More August 20 Holidays
In addition to World Mosquito Day, here are more August 20 holidays for you to enjoy:
More About Today
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous August Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Ecards – Send a free Ecard daily for just about any calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Undoubtedly, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Flower of the Day: Poppy
Recipe of the Day: Spinach and Mushroom Salad
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Did You Know? Besides World Mosquito Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Furthermore, many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. August holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.