Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood
Yahoo • • health
Key Points:
- A new study by Brazilian microbiologists links deforestation in the Atlantic Forest to an increase in mosquito species feeding on human blood, suggesting environmental changes are altering mosquito feeding habits.
- Researchers found that as biodiversity declines and preferred animal hosts disappear, mosquitoes adapt by turning to humans as an alternative blood source, raising concerns about increased disease transmission risks.
- The study highlights that habitat destruction not only reduces wildlife but also creates breeding grounds for disease vectors like the Anopheles darlingi mosquito, which has contributed to the resurgence of malaria in the Amazon.
- Scientists emphasize the need to halt and reverse deforestation to restore ecosystems, potentially reducing mosquitoes' reliance on humans and mitigating the emergence of new zoonotic diseases.
- The findings underscore the broader
