If you fear mosquitoes, then you are not alone, as much of the world is gearing up for a summer that is predicted to be a mosquito paradise. Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as many other organizations, are not yet sure if their mosquito prevention methods will work to lower the rate of mosquito-borne infections this summer. We could experience a summer that sees a significant decrease in mosquito-borne disease rates among the world’s population. Or the world may re-experience the horror of 2015 and 2016 when millions of people fell ill to the Zika virus, and to a lesser extent, the West Nile virus. Of course, 2018 could also be the worst year yet when it comes to the rate of dangerous mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. In any case, whatever may happen this summer, one thing is for sure, this year mosquito populations will become unusually high. Luckily, scientific innovations that aim to protect individuals from mosquito-borne diseases have made huge strides since the Zika outbreaks that occurred two years ago. One of the most promising methods of mosquito bite prevention involves the use of a patch. This patch is similar to the patches that cigarette smokers apply to their skin in order to curb their tobacco cravings. However, these new patches won’t help you quit smoking, but they may, nevertheless, save your life. This patch, which is known as the Kite Patch, effectively makes people invisible to mosquitoes.
Obviously, mosquitoes cease to be a problem for humans once we become invisible to them, but such advancements in pest control science must be impossible, right? Actually, the effectiveness of these patches has already been convincingly demonstrated. Although this patch would seem to function by means of magic, the science behind its function is relatively easy to understand, even for laymans. The patch emits chemical compounds into the subject’s bloodstream. These compounds alter the bodily scents that are responsible for attracting mosquitoes to humans. Since mosquitoes only bite what they can perceive with their sensory organs, this patch basically makes humans invisible to mosquitoes. This patch will likely save millions of lives in malaria-stricken regions of Africa, notably Ghana, where the only protection people have against mosquitoes are nets. The patch makes humans invisible to mosquitoes forty eight hours after it is applied to the skin.
If this patch were available on the open market, would you buy it?