Imagine a sunny Sunday, perfect for a little picnic. Everything seems idyllic until flies start circling your meal. Although small, these creatures can pose great risks to your health, turning a pleasant moment into a potential source of illness.
You have planned a pleasant country meal, but unwanted guests, flies, spoil the picture. Behind their banal appearance, these insects hide a little-known danger that could compromise the safety of your outdoor meal.
Fly vomit, a microscopic danger
Flies cannot chew, so they deposit digestive fluid on food to dissolve it before ingesting it. This behavior, which is natural to them, can transfer bacteria and viruses from previously visited waste directly to your plate. This process increases the risk of contaminating food with pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illness.
The fluid regurgitated by flies can be loaded with dangerous pathogens like E. coli or salmonella. By feeding on waste or excrement before visiting your meal, they significantly increase the risk of transmitting these diseases. It is therefore essential to take preventive measures, because even a small amount of these bacteria can cause severe infections in humans.
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The bacterial load of flies
A fly can carry more than a million bacteria on his body. When it lands on your food, it can transfer a significant quantity of these organisms to it, creating a significant health risk, especially in environments such as farms or open markets.
Although the risk of getting sick is relatively low, it increases with the amount of pathogens transferred. Experts say the number of bacteria needed to cause diseases like shigellosis is low, making flies potentially effective vectors for some infections. Therefore, even brief exposure of your food to these insects could be enough to cause contamination.
How to protect yourself from flies?
To avoid contamination, it is advisable to use mosquito nets, place fly traps around your picnic site, and effectively cover all uneaten dishes. Since flies are attracted to food smells, keep your dining area clean and free of trash. Also be sure to dispose of food scraps and packaging quickly to avoid attracting more flies and other insects.
Actively chasing away flies and using fly swatters can significantly reduce the risk of contamination. It is also recommended not to leave food exposed for longer than necessary, especially if flies have been spotted in the area, to limit the risk of bacterial growth. Additionally, it is a good idea to cover your food with lids or food covers to provide additional protection against these pests.
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Source: www.consoglobe.com
