1 July 2022, 01:49 GMT
A recent study revealed that infection with dengue fever or Zika virus affects the smell of humans, making them more attractive to mosquitoes.
According to the study published in the scientific journal “Cell”, mosquitoes, following they bite the infected, transmit viruses to the next victim.
Dengue fever is common in the tropics and causes a high temperature and a rash, and can be fatal.
The Zika virus can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected, but most adults have mild or no symptoms and usually recover within a few days.
Scientists at several Chinese laboratories, including the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Tsinghua University in Beijing, have found smelly particles on the skin of mice infected with dengue that make them more susceptible to mosquito bites.
Then, the most attractive fraction, acetophenone, which is increased in people and mice infected with dengue fever or Zika, was administered by human volunteers.
Researchers are currently conducting studies on therapies targeting acetophenone.
The use of mosquito nets and insect repellents is currently one of the best ways to avoid bites.
It is believed that there are up to 400 million cases of dengue fever each year. Zika virus cases have also been recorded in 86 countries around the world.
These viruses are more common in South and Central America, Africa and the Caribbean, and in parts of Asia.
Yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile virus are also related to the Zika family.
