Eradication of mosquitoes not the right solution to get rid of vector-borne diseases, say scientists! - Know why

New Delhi: With cases of zika, malaria, dengue and chikungunya taking a toll over the world, there seems to be little respite from the pesky vectors that cause them.

The disease-carrying vectors are breeding like never before and are rapidly infesting all the corners of the world.

This largely brings health concerns to the forefront and experts have always been vocal about various precautionary measures for people to stay aware and use them to protect themselves.

The elimination of mosquitoes has been the top-most priority and solution in this regard, however, a team of scientists in the US have a different take.

They believe that mosquitoes having co-evolved with many species play a major role in various ecosystems, because it is likely that other organisms that depend on them as a food source.

Therefore, instead of their eradication, their ability to transmit diseases should be suppressed – completely wiping out the species may have wider effects.

"To yank (mosquitoes) out abruptly, I don't know what that does as they are a large part of the biomass in many ecosystems," Catherine Hill, Professor at the Purdue University in US state of Indiana, said in a statement.

Thus, developing a non-lethal pesticide that will only affect the biology of the mosquito, while reducing its ability to transmit to another host, without killing the species or interfering with other life forms may hold the solution, Hill added.

Further, Hill pointed out that while mosquitoes are in their aquatic stage, they serve as a food source for fish and predatory insects. During this stage, mosquitoes also serve as filter feeders, which results in organic matter being turned over, making them excellent converters in an ecosystem.

In their terrestrial stage, mosquitoes serve as food for birds, bats, salamanders, lizards, frogs and other animals.

Moreover, according to Hill, there are several thousand species of mosquitoes worldwide, with only a small percentage of those species carrying diseases.

But, very little is known about the species that do not transmit disease, so this leaves a lot of unanswered questions concerning what would happen if mosquitoes were wiped out, Hill said.

(With IANS inputs)