For most Americans, mosquitoes are just pesky nuisances that interfere with barbecuing, camping and other outdoor activities. But in some parts of the world, mosquitoes can be a serious, even deadly, scourge.
Each year, at least one million people worldwide die due to mosquito-transmitted malaria, according to the World Health Organization. From 350 to 500 million malaria cases are contracted annually. Mosquitoes also carry other diseases like dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus.
“Half of the world population is in a risky area,” said UW-Madison insect physiologist Que Lan. “It is very devastating.”