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Alcohol ingestion stimulates mosquito attraction.
Oshikazu Shirai1, Takao Tsuda, Shinya Kitagawa
1Department of Biodefence Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sugitani, Japan.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association
|June 27, 2002
Summary
Drinking alcohol significantly increases mosquito attraction, leading to more bites. This heightened risk means individuals who consume alcohol may face a greater chance of contracting mosquito-borne diseases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mosquito bites pose risks for diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests alcohol consumption increases mosquito attraction, but scientific data is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of alcohol ingestion on mosquito attraction to humans.
- To determine if physiological changes after drinking beer correlate with increased mosquito landings.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen volunteers ingested 350 ml of beer (5.5% ethanol).
- Ethanol content in sweat, sweat production, and skin temperature were measured before and after beer consumption.
- Mosquito landing rates on volunteers were compared before and after alcohol ingestion.
Main Results:
- Mosquito landings on volunteers significantly increased after beer ingestion compared to pre-ingestion levels.
- No significant correlation was found between ethanol content in sweat or skin temperature and mosquito landings.
- Alcohol consumption demonstrably enhances mosquito attraction to humans.
Conclusions:
- Drinking alcohol increases a person's attractiveness to mosquitoes.
- Individuals consuming alcohol should be aware of the elevated risk of mosquito bites and subsequent disease transmission.