Awkward moment Project host Waleed Aly immediately regrets asking the doctor why he always gets bitten by mosquitoes – as an urgent warning is issued about the deadly virus spread by an insect repellent
- The project’s Waleed Aly was redfaced by Dr Ali Zaid
- He asked Dr. Zaid why he gets bitten by mosquitoes so often
- Dr. Zaid suggested it could be due to ‘smelly feet’
Waleed Aly has turned red-faced after a doctor suggested ‘smelly feet’ could be the reason why he is so often bitten by mosquitoes.
The project’s host spoke to viral immunologist Dr Ali Zaid following news that a third person had died from the mosquito-borne Murray Valley Encephalitis virus.
Aly broke the serious tone of the interview to ask Dr. Zaid why he is often the target of the blood-sucking vermin.
“The problem I have is that if there is one mosquito in the country, it will find me and eat me,” said the TV presenter.
“I’m just one of these people, I’m the first bitten in a gathering and it’s endless.”
Dr. Zaid referred to recent studies that showed that there were certain compounds people released through their smell and sweat that attracted mosquitoes.
“Some of those substances are also in, how to say, smelly feet,” he said.
The project’s Waleed Aly (pictured) turned red after asking Dr Ali Zaid why he is often targeted by mosquitoes
The panel awkwardly burst into laughter, leaving Aly speechless.
“Okay, I may have regretted asking you that question,” he said before ending the interview.
The number of mosquitoes in Australia has increased due to unusually wet weather providing the perfect living environment.
Deadly mosquito-borne diseases such as Murray Valley Encephalitis are also on the rise.
Dr. Zaid said it’s important for Aussies to monitor their symptoms after being bitten.
“When people develop clinical symptoms, it starts with fever, headache and nausea, and can progress to vomiting,” he said.
“When the disease progresses to the more severe form of the pathology, it’s encephalitis, which essentially means inflammation of the brain, and so neurological symptoms start to appear.”
Dr. Zaid was brought on the show to speak about mosquito-borne illnesses after a third Victoria died of Murray Valley Encephalitis earlier this month (stock image)
Dr. Zaid (pictured) explained that certain compounds were released through the smell of humans that attracted mosquitoes. He added that these compounds are found in ‘smelly feet’
He added that when symptoms “progress to such an extent” it can lead to death.
Dr. Zaid emphasized that Murray Valley Encephalitis is a “rare disease” as not many cases have been recorded and most people will not have any symptoms.
As for mosquito protection, the doctor recommended applying mosquito repellents, avoiding areas that attract mosquitoes, such as wet areas or standing water, and wearing long-sleeved clothing.
It comes as a Victorian man in his 70s died earlier this month from Murray Valley Encephalitis after possibly being exposed to infectious mosquitoes in the northern Campaspe Shire, according to the state’s health department.
Last month, two women in their 60s died of the disease.
A small proportion of infected people develop encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain (X-ray pictured). This can potentially lead to brain damage or death
The virus has reemerged in northern Victoria for the first time in nearly 50 years, with infected mosquitoes in Mildura, Swan Hill, Campaspe, Indigo and Wangaratta.
Many of these areas were hit by severe flooding in late 2022, which provided ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes carrying the virus.
There is no vaccine against Murray Valley encephalitis.
It can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the central nervous system and people are urged to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.