In a significant finding, scientists have discovered that mosquito-borne diseases like zika, dengue and chikungunya are a result of viruses spreading at relatively lower temperatures. The researchers have zeroed in on the exact temperature that causes the spread of the virus.
It was a long-held notion that mosquito-borne diseases like zika, dengue and chikungunya spread at high temperatures but now scientists claim that this temperature is lower in comparison to what was thought earlier. According to EurekaAlert, two researchers from South Florida University have found that these diseases spread most easily at 84 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the most conducive temperature for the spread of the virus.
Notably, scientists had long held the idea that the viruses spread at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that this new finding has revealed something else, it has led scientists to shun many other theories as well, especially the one related to climate change. Now they know that in future these diseases will have more impact in subtropical and temperate regions which includes areas like north Mexico and southern part of United States, MedicalXpress has learned.
The scientists, who conducted the study, said that temperatures have an impact on the frequency of mosquito bites as well as the time mosquitoes take to transmit the virus from one human body to another. Last but not the least, it also affects their life cycle and 84 degrees is the riskiest temperature for human beings. Temperatures lower and higher than this are not that risky.
Since the earlier theory blamed higher temperatures for mosquito-borne diseases, it was believed that climate change would expose tropical areas to the scourge of these viruses. However, all that stands nullified but the new finding would also help scientists to predict the future of these diseases, how they would affect the different climate zones and identify the areas that are at maximum risk. It could prove instrumental in taking preventive steps to control the mosquitoes as well.
