HUNGRY mosquitoes have driven dozens of Nicosia residents to doctors and pharmacists over the holiday weekend, with a surge in the numbers and virulence of the blood-sucking parasites.
The recent downpours have caused a surge in mosquito activity across the Nicosia district.
Last month, veterinary officials had warned of an influx of mosquitoes coming in from the north, but this is not the case with the recent population surge.
“From what I have been informed by the veterinary services, the reason for this influx is due to the downpour of rain we had in recent days as well as the moderate weather conditions we have had since,” Health Minister Charis Charalambous told the Cyprus Mail yesterday.
“The veterinary services are obviously on alert and have responded to the calls from the public. They have already been dispatched to certain areas where there is stagnant water to try and exterminate the mosquitoes but as you can imagine this is not an easy and straightforward task.”
Stagnant water pools are ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes.
The minister added that mosquitoes appeared to be mostly in the Nicosia district.
Nicosia resident Noni Charalambous was one of dozens of people who went to the doctor’s yesterday suffering from bites.
“After waking up in the morning I noticed that I had five bite marks on me – two on my back, two on my hand and one behind my ankle. The bite behind my ankle was the worst because my foot had swollen up.
“Although all the areas where I had been bitten were itchy, the bite on my ankle was worse because my ankle swelled up and it was very uncomfortable to walk. My foot was also warm from the swelling.
“We went to the doctor who told me that had seen a lot of patients recently with the same problem. I then went to the pharmacy where I was given some antihistamines and cream. Despite the medicine, I am still suffering.”
She added: “I don’t have allergic reactions to mosquito bites so it was quite something to have to go to the doctor for this reason.”
One Nicosia pharmacist told the Cyprus Mail they had been overwhelmed with people suffering from similar irritations.
“Today was very busy. From the morning, we had people coming and were in danger of running out of the medicine being prescribed. Although we had a lot of adults come in, the majority of cases were for small children who obviously suffer a lot more and can’t help scratching the bite marks.”
Why does it itch?
SO WHY does it itch every time we get bitten by a mosquito?
When the mosquito stabs its needle-like mouthparts through the skin of its victim, it injects saliva, teeming with digestive enzymes and anticoagulants.
With subsequent bites, the person becomes sensitised to the foreign proteins, and small, itchy, red bumps later appear.
Some older children and adults get no reaction to mosquito bites unless they go for a long time without being bitten, then the process can start again. Other people become increasingly allergic with repeated stings.
They can develop blistering, bruised, large inflammatory reactions.
Recommended home remedies for treating mosquito bites include rubbing the bite with soapy water or placing an ice pack or ice wrapped in a washcloth on the bite area.
