While many people are staying at home for fear of developing or spreading the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Floridians’ peskiest neighbor won’t ask if it’s OK to come in.
But luckily, even if they do buzz their way inside, health officials say mosquitoes can’t give you the virus.
To date, the World Health Organization said there has been no information or evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.
WHO officials said the respiratory virus is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
The American Mosquito Control Association offers the following advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Mosquitoes and ticks can’t spread all types of viruses.
- At this time, we have no data to suggest that COVID-19 or other similar coronaviruses (e.g. SARS, MERS) are spread by mosquitoes or ticks.
- For a virus to pass to a person through a mosquito or tick bite, the virus must be able to replicate inside the mosquito or tick.
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Officials continue to stress that the best ways to avoid getting sick are to wash your hands and avoid close contact with anyone who is.