Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Updated : September 22, 2015 7:16 PM IST
As the country grapples with dengue, it is essential to be aware of the disease and its progression. Here is a very common question about the mosquito that transmits the dengue virus to people.
When does the dengue mosquito bite?
Caused by a virus, dengue is a disease that is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito (easily recognisable by the characteristic stripes on their body), that is known to breed in areas that have water logging like discarded tires, vessels, water tanks, etc. But what makes these mosquitoes especially dangerous for humans is the fact that they live and breed in dark and warm places. Making your home an ideal place for them to multiply and then bite -- leading to an infection. You may also like to read about the symptoms of dengue.
Known to bite primarily in the day, Aedes Aegypti can bite both during day or night (they do not have a real preference for the time of day), unlike those mosquitoes that cause malaria. Known to live around human dwellings, Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes are one of the most resilient strain of their species. They evolve with change in population in the area, weather (their eggs can survive long periods of drought) and adapt to any kind of chemical change -- making their population hard to kill. What's more, it seems that with the evolution of this mosquito, the virus too is morphing and, therefore, is resulting in different, more damaging symptoms. You may also like to read about these tips to prevent dengue.
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Reference:
CDC - dengue guide
