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Mosquito Nets

A Flying Killer

For most of us, mosquitoes are just little insects that bother us in the summer. Mosquito bites can hurt a little and be very itchy, but they are not usually dangerous. However, for some people, those tiny insects are a very big problem.

In some parts of the world, mosquitoes can carry a serious disease. It’s called malaria. Malaria is most common in countries where the weather is usually hot and rainy.

When a malaria-carrying mosquito bites someone, the disease gets into that person’s blood. Soon, the person becomes very sick. The disease can get into the brain and kill the person.

There is medicine that can cure malaria. However, it can be difficult to get. Even if the medicine is available, many families are too poor to buy it. Malaria kills over 1 million people every year.

Africa is one of the places hardest hit by the disease. Children there are especially in danger. Every day, about three thousand children die from malaria in Africa. Many poor families live in simple huts with no windows or doors. The mosquitoes that carry malaria are busiest at night. They can easily get inside and bite people. Many people get the disease while they are sleeping.

There is a solution—mosquito nets. The nets have many tiny holes that allow air to get in. However, the mosquitoes cannot get through. When people sleep under nets at night, they are protected from mosquito bites. Each net is big enough for two or three people. There are several organizations that make these nets. They are working hard to give them to as many people as possible. You can help. Giving $10 can buy a net and maybe save someone’s life.

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