Should Everyone Have Access To A National Mosquito-Tracking Database?
Should Everyone Have Access To A National Mosquito-Tracking Database?
For decades now there has been several different organizations that have gathered mosquito-related data. Researchers working for these organizations have set mosquito traps in order to determine which types of mosquitoes inhabit particular regions. Tracking mosquito activity is important when it comes to public health. The problem is that a variety of both private and public organizations already exist that carry out mosquito-tracking efforts, but not all of this data is accessible in once place. It is hard to believe that there is not one single mosquito-tracking database that compiles data on mosquito populations from different sources. It goes without saying that a national mosquito-tracking organization should exist, but should every citizen have access to such data?
At the moment, there is nothing like a national mosquito-tracking database that is accessible to members of the public; instead some information is currently only accessible to employees of various mosquito-control organizations. However, even in these cases, not all available mosquito-related data is available in one database. According to two prominent researchers working for the University of Notre Dame, public health experts could more effectively prevent mosquito-related diseases by forming one single database where all mosquito-related data is available. For example, should more pesticides be used in certain regions? Are members of the public removing enough groundwater from their properties? Could an unheard of mosquito-born virus develop and infect humans? If researchers had all the mosquito-related data that exists, then questions like the two above could be answered more conclusively.
Mosquito-borne diseases could be tracked and predicted with greater accuracy, and with more time to prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne disease if a national database existed. Also, with a national database, experts could better regulate domestic and international travel guidelines. Mosquito-related data is professionally gathered at a cost, and every tax paying citizen of the US is entitled to a national mosquito-tracking database for their own protection.
Do you believe that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should be tasked with compiling all available data concerning mosquito activity within the US?