Insects that carry germs
A mosquito bites one living thing, then another. What has it carried?
Step 1 of 4
- Two houses. Still water between them.
- A vector visits house A.
- The same vector visits house B.
- Take the still water away. Nowhere to lay eggs.
A mosquito can carry a germ from the first to the second.
A vector is an insect that carries a pathogen. Mosquitoes and houseflies are vectors. Malaria and dengue are spread by mosquitoes.
The rule
A vector is an insect that carries a pathogen. It moves it from one living thing to another. Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water. Take the still water away and there are fewer mosquitoes.
| What | Fact |
|---|---|
| A vector | An insect that carries a pathogen |
| Mosquitoes | Lay eggs in still water |
| Take the still water away | Fewer places to lay eggs |
Watch out!
A vector is not a pathogen. The mosquito carries the germ. The germ causes the illness.
Nothing here is a real house. A real worry goes to a trusted adult or a doctor.
Add pools of still water. Count the houses reached.
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