Did you know mosquitoes claim more lives than any other animal on earth?
August 20 has been dedicated to the pesky insect that can carry vector-borne diseases like Zika, dengue, malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever and is a nuisance to outdoor activities.
During the Spanish-American war, more American soldiers died from yellow fever, malaria, and other diseases than from combat. At the termination of the Spanish-American War in 1898, American military forces occupied the island of Cuba, including Guantanamo Bay where the Battle for Cuzco Wells was fought.
Tropical diseases were a major concern of the government because of the impact on the health of the military. Army Major Walter Reed and a team of doctors were sent to investigate the diseases, particularly the pathogenic mechanism of yellow fever. The discovery of the cause of yellow fever is considered one of the most important contributions in the field of medicine and human history.
At U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, the Preventive Medicine team monitors the mosquito population. Whether studying the different species found here or collecting samples for further testing off-island, the team helps ensure those annoying insects aren't making our community sick.
Discover the facts about mosquito-borne illnesses and how to safeguard against them: www.Health.mil/mosquito