The Buzz on Bugs and Babies

Summer's Small Pests Can Pose Big Dangers

By Laurie L. Dove

Since infancy, Nancy Cavanaugh's daughter has been bothered by one of summer's most frustrating pests: mosquitoes.

"She seems to be a target for mosquitoes," says Cavanaugh. "One afternoon out playing will get her 10 or more bug bites. They make her uncomfortable, and they hurt."

Although Cavanaugh has been vigilant about protecting her daughter from mosquito bites during infancy and the toddler years, she admits she has new concerns. "I do watch for any signs of unusual health problems that could be caused by mosquito-related illnesses," she says.

A good idea, considering Cavanaugh's home in Keen, N.H., is in a region of the United States that is crawling with this potentially deadly predator.

Although they don't appear to be as scary as poisonous snakes or crocodiles, mosquitoes certainly result in more deaths, says Dr. Mark E. Rupp, professor of infectious diseases at the Omaha, Neb.-based University of Nebraska Medical Center. Mosquitoes can spread a variety of diseases including malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and, increasingly, West Nile virus.

In fact, recent consumer surveys conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) point to mosquitoes as the No. 1 concern of homeowners during the summer months.

It's easy to see why, says Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for the Fairfax, Va.-based NPMA. After its first reported incidence in 1999, the mosquito-borne West Nile virus has spread across the country from Pennsylvania to Washington State. To date, there have been a total of 19,710 reported cases, 785 of which were fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And experts say more than a million Americans have contracted milder forms of the disease, making it one of the most common yet underreported diseases in the United States.

Want to see more?

• West Nile Virus: Texas Children's Hospital Encourages Parents to Keep Watch
• Bug Bites: Prevention for Those Itching for Insect Bite Relief
• Keep Bugs at Bay: The Natural Way to Stay Insect Free
• Talk about it!