Return of the Bible Plagues: Mosquitoes

Return of the Bible Plagues: Mosquitoes

2009, Nature  -   10 Comments
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Ratings: 7.51/10 from 59 users.

On the surface, the match-up of man versus mosquito may sound like a comical notion, but it actually represents a grave challenge for countless people throughout the world. In some regions, the uncontrolled infestation of mosquitoes constitutes a major humanitarian crisis, and results in an alarmingly high number of deaths every year. This phenomenon can come to resemble many of the most damaging plagues that are recounted in the Bible. Return of the Bible Plagues: Mosquitoes makes the connections between biblical times and what we are living with today, and profiles the desperate efforts to curb this increasingly deadly phenomenon.

Mosquitoes have the potential to carry and transmit a host of destructive diseases, including West Nile virus, Zika and Dengue Fever. Most notably, they infect in excess of 200 million people a year with malaria. Statistics provided in the film conclude that the spread of malaria alone is responsible for millions of deaths each year, particularly in Africa where a child will die from the disease every 30 seconds.

From frogs to flies, the Bible is rife with stories of plagues where the people are terrorized by massive swarms of insects and other pests. These plagues are interpreted as a punishment from God. Many of the communities where these plagues continue to be prevalent still abide by this biblical belief. This poses a challenge to those who work to make a difference in these regions.

The film follows teams of researchers, biologists, clinicians and other activists as they attempt to combat this epidemic. They assume a multi-pronged approach which includes education, prevention, research studies, insecticide use, and the destruction of as many harbors for mosquito infestations as possible, particularly the pools of dank, long standing water in which they breed most successfully.

This crisis is by no means limited to Africa. Concerns of mosquito-borne illnesses have spread throughout Central Europe and the United States. Return of the Bible Plagues: Mosquitoes provides valuable lessons on the severity of the epidemic, the reasons behind its continued prominence across the globe, and the steps which need to taken to survive this modern-day plague.

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Esssa
Esssa
2 years ago

Was there a mosquito pleg in the bible

Eric
Eric
3 years ago

As a viewer, I don't want to wear my glasses when I watch TV. I can see well enough to view everything, but it takes me too long to read subtitles. I prefer a voice over translation of foreign languages. If I don't get that, I stop watching, because it's too much work and not enjoyable.

P
P
3 years ago

What a joke. Plague of a curable illness. Aaaaah. The killer bees are coming.

Patricio Archuleta Rodriguez
Patricio Archuleta Rodriguez
4 years ago

Jesus Christ is close to his return.whats funny as it was in the days ofnoah so shall it be at his return Praise him thank you Lord. Come quickly.

mysterioso
mysterioso
6 years ago

@ Katnes..........." Afteral" , (dear god).

steve
steve
8 years ago

@ Katnea in the swamps of Louisiana Avon skin so soft is the only thing that works I say this from experience camping in those swamps with friends that ran trot lines for a living

Katnea
Katnea
8 years ago

Wonderful documentary that talks about why mosquitoes will continue to be on rise, the various items around our homes that offers a perfect mosquito nursery, and that organic insecticides is just as effective as DEET repellents. I also hope people use some caution when it comes to applying DEET repellents as a Zika virus preventative. Afteral, it's never a good idea to keep slathering DEET chemicals all over their child or themselves. Lastly, Avon, Skin-So-Soft, and Bounce dryer sheets, are both mosquito repellent myths. ; )

hodor
hodor
8 years ago

well i'm glad i didnt judge this book (doc) by its cover. the title had me thinking this was some religious nutbag crap at first, but i started watching it anyways. it's not all that bad, but i can't say that i learned much from it either.