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| Mosquitoes thrive in wet summer | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Britons may not have enjoyed the rain this summer but mosquitoes seem to be thriving in the wet, muggy conditions. | |
| NHS Direct has reported a 28% rise in England in the number of people seeking telephone advice about mosquito bites. | NHS Direct has reported a 28% rise in England in the number of people seeking telephone advice about mosquito bites. |
| The website has also seen a surge in visitors, with an article on insect bites being the most popular out of 700 different topics, NHS Direct said. | The website has also seen a surge in visitors, with an article on insect bites being the most popular out of 700 different topics, NHS Direct said. |
| Unusually high rainfall and hot weather has created an ideal environment for mosquitoes to thrive. | |
| When an insect bites it releases a form of saliva that can that give rise to inflammation, blisters, and irritation Helen Young, NHS Direct | When an insect bites it releases a form of saliva that can that give rise to inflammation, blisters, and irritation Helen Young, NHS Direct |
| Although several species of mosquito live in Britain, they are normally more of a problem in the warmer climate of mainland Europe. | Although several species of mosquito live in Britain, they are normally more of a problem in the warmer climate of mainland Europe. |
| The World Health Organization estimate that mosquitoes carrying malaria infect about 400 million people a year but it was eradicated in Britain decades ago. | |
| Advice | Advice |
| Figures collected by NHS Direct show the helpline received 1,491 calls about mosquito bites in the first 12 days of August compared with 1,157 over the same period in 2006. | Figures collected by NHS Direct show the helpline received 1,491 calls about mosquito bites in the first 12 days of August compared with 1,157 over the same period in 2006. |
| In July, more than 2,000 people called to ask for advice. | In July, more than 2,000 people called to ask for advice. |
| The website received 17,434 inquiries in July and August, up from 12,316 last year. | The website received 17,434 inquiries in July and August, up from 12,316 last year. |
| Helen Young, clinical director and director of nursing at NHS Direct, said most insect bites could be easily treated as they only produced small, local reactions. | Helen Young, clinical director and director of nursing at NHS Direct, said most insect bites could be easily treated as they only produced small, local reactions. |
| "When an insect bites it releases a form of saliva that can that give rise to inflammation, blisters, and irritation. | "When an insect bites it releases a form of saliva that can that give rise to inflammation, blisters, and irritation. |
| TREATING THE ITCH Use a cold compress, such as a cold flannel or ice pack, to ease pain and swellingSteroid creams, such as hydrocortisone, or antihistamines in cream or tablets can also ease itchiness and inflammation | TREATING THE ITCH Use a cold compress, such as a cold flannel or ice pack, to ease pain and swellingSteroid creams, such as hydrocortisone, or antihistamines in cream or tablets can also ease itchiness and inflammation |
| "These can vary depending on the type of insect involved, and the sensitivity of the person who is bitten. | "These can vary depending on the type of insect involved, and the sensitivity of the person who is bitten. |
| "If your bites and the local reactions do not fade away within a few days or your bites get infected or if you have severe symptoms, such as swelling and blistering, you may need to see your doctor." | "If your bites and the local reactions do not fade away within a few days or your bites get infected or if you have severe symptoms, such as swelling and blistering, you may need to see your doctor." |
| She added that people who had a severe allergic reaction to a bite, for example if they have breathing difficulties or their blood pressure drops they should call 999 straight away. | She added that people who had a severe allergic reaction to a bite, for example if they have breathing difficulties or their blood pressure drops they should call 999 straight away. |
| For a person to catch malaria from a mosquito bite in the UK, the mosquito would had to have bitten one of the 2,000 people who return to the country every year after contracting malaria abroad. | For a person to catch malaria from a mosquito bite in the UK, the mosquito would had to have bitten one of the 2,000 people who return to the country every year after contracting malaria abroad. |
| Paul Pearce-Kelly, senior curator of invertebrates at the Zoological Society London, said: "It's the combination of wet weather followed by warmer conditions that encourages the greater numbers, which we're already seeing. | Paul Pearce-Kelly, senior curator of invertebrates at the Zoological Society London, said: "It's the combination of wet weather followed by warmer conditions that encourages the greater numbers, which we're already seeing. |
| "Changing weather patterns are creating conditions more favourable to mosquito breeding. | "Changing weather patterns are creating conditions more favourable to mosquito breeding. |
| "A combination of climate change, bringing milder winters, and increased travel - not just for humans but cargo too - is producing an environment in which mosquitoes succeed." | "A combination of climate change, bringing milder winters, and increased travel - not just for humans but cargo too - is producing an environment in which mosquitoes succeed." |