Chasing Life

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites and the Diseases They Carry

13 snips
Jul 25, 2025
Historian Timothy Winegard, a professor at Colorado Mesa University and author of 'The Mosquito,' joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to tackle humanity's battle with the world's deadliest insect. They explore how mosquitoes have shaped history, influencing wars and economies through disease. The duo shares insights on making your blood less appealing to these pests, the evolution of repellents like DEET, and the ecological roles of mosquitoes. Together, they navigate the ethics of mosquito eradication while emphasizing the need for continued research in public health.
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INSIGHT

Mosquitoes: Deadliest Predator

  • Mosquitoes have been humanity's deadliest predator since the beginning of our existence.
  • They carry pathogens that evolve and adapt, continuously affecting human history and health.
INSIGHT

Mosquitoes Shaped History

  • Mosquito-borne diseases shaped significant historical events, like Scotland's union with England.
  • Hemispheric differences in malaria affect economic development and historical conquests.
INSIGHT

Mosquito-Borne Pathogen Diversity

  • Mosquito-borne pathogens include worms, viruses like dengue, and sophisticated protozoan parasites like malaria.
  • Dengue threatens 4 to 5 billion people, showing mosquito diseases' vast public health reach.
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