Beware: Deadly Animal Is Lurking Here

What is the deadliest animal on the planet? Thoughts of the great white shark, the African lion or venomous cobras possibly come to mind.

Guess again.

It's not one of these great predators stalking prey in search of a meal that is the world's greatest killer. It's a tiny, stealthy insect that causes more human deaths than any other organism.

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, they are responsible for more than 1 million people dying from mosquito-borne diseases every year, mainly due to malaria.

As the female mosquito takes her blood meal from an unsuspecting host, pathogens can be introduced into the bloodstream. More than 90 percent of malaria cases and deaths are recorded in Africa, but they are not completely foreign to Florida.

In Florida, an average of 47 imported malaria cases were reported annually during the 1980s, compared with 74 imported cases reported each year during the 1990s. During the '90s, Florida had a half dozen locally acquired cases of human malaria.

Since the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting malaria are found throughout Florida, we must remain vigilant about monitoring this dangerous vector-borne disease. Organized mosquito control in Florida has greatly reduced the incidence of several diseases, but the threat still remains for other mosquito-transmitted diseases, including West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and dog heartworm.

With recent heavy rain, mosquito season has swung into high gear, and Pasco County Mosquito Control District personnel are prepared for another year of battling these hungry pests.

The mission of the mosquito control staff and three elected commissioners is to protect the health and well-being of the citizens of Pasco County through the prevention and control of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Our task of locating and controlling mosquitoes and preventing you from becoming a blood meal is taken very seriously.

And don't forget your pets. Dog heartworm, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is very common in our area, so preventative medication for your dog is highly recommended. Also, the Florida Department of Agriculture is urging horse owners to make sure their animals are vaccinated against two of the diseases, West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis.

To prevent mosquitoes from taking a bite out of your summer fun, the American Mosquito Control Association has tips for residents to keep those pesky intruders under control.

Remember the three D's of protection from mosquitoes:

Drain: Many mosquito problems in your neighborhood are likely to come from water-filled containers that residents can help eliminate. Mosquitoes require water in which to breed. Be sure to drain any standing water around your house.

Dress: Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Some mosquito species are attracted to dark clothing, and some can bite through tight-fitting clothes. When practical, wear long sleeves and long pants.

Defend: Choose a mosquito repellent that has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Registered products have been reviewed and approved, and pose minimal risk to human safety when used according to label directions.

The association has declared this week National Mosquito Control Awareness Week 2008. In its 12th year, the mosquito week educates the public about the significance of mosquitoes in their daily lives and the important services provided by mosquito-control workers across the United States and around the world.

Visit www.pascomosquito .org for information.