As the intense heatwave has subsided and cool morning and evening breezes begin to blow, mosquitoes, the unwelcome guests of summer, are becoming active again.

Recently, the mosquito index nearly doubled in just a week, exceeding 100 mosquitoes for the first time in the real-time artificial intelligence-based monitoring introduced this year.

According to the real-time mosquito monitoring status for the 35th week of this year (August 24–29) released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 6th, the mosquito index collected by daily mosquito occurrence monitoring equipment across seven regions nationwide stood at 100.9 mosquitoes, an increase of 47.9 mosquitoes from the previous week (53.0 mosquitoes).

The KDCA introduced artificial intelligence-based real-time mosquito monitoring systems (DMS) this year, and this is the first time the mosquito index has exceeded 100 based on this monitoring.

The real-time mosquito index hovered around 40 to 50 mosquitoes from the 28th week to the 32nd week of this year, increased to 99.5 mosquitoes in the 33rd week, dropped back to 53.0 mosquitoes in the 34th week, and then surged again within a week.

The index for Japanese encephalitis vector mosquitoes (small red house mosquitoes) for the 35th week (August 24–29) also averaged 102 mosquitoes, an increase from the previous week (68 mosquitoes).

However, this level is lower than the previous year (228 mosquitoes).

The index for malaria vector mosquitoes (anopheles mosquitoes) for the 34th week (August 17–23) averaged 3.5 mosquitoes, similar to the previous week (3.6 mosquitoes) and lower than the previous year (7.9 mosquitoes).

Mosquitoes mainly lay eggs and inhabit puddles of water, and generally active at temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Because they are heavily influenced by temperature and humidity, their activity shrinks during mid-summer heatwaves, but becomes active again when cool breezes blow in the mornings and evenings.

This year as well, heatwaves with daytime temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) continued until mid-August, making mosquitoes hard to find. It appears that mosquitoes are increasing again as rain fell starting from Liberation Day holiday, raising humidity and dropping the morning lows below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).

Since mosquitoes can transmit various infectious diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and malaria, health authorities have urged caution against infectious diseases.

Until October when mosquitoes are active, it is advised to refrain from outdoor activities after sunset. When going out at night, it is recommended to wear light-colored long and loose-fitting clothing, and apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin.

At home, it is a good idea to inspect indoor window screens and eliminate stagnant water around the house to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

(Photo: Yonhap News)