The Bug Files

I was so happy when the warm weather finally came to Wuhan. Now, I’m not sure I’m enjoying it. The first night back from Máchéng (麻城) I was bitten five times. They form what looks like a 5-star Big Dipper. It was strange, the next morning I noticed five red dots all on my left arm. They weren’t itchy, they were just there. Then… the next morning, it happened! Non-stop itchiness and swelling from all that itching. It was like the bites lay dormant for 20 hours and then hit you like a Maglev train filled with the itchies. I don’t remember mosquito bites ever being this unbearable. It could be because each bite is within 3 cm of each other so it’s like one big mosquito bite over my entire wrist/hand. Today, I’m at 27 bites: 14 on my left arm, 4 on my right arm, 6 on my left leg, 2 on my right leg, 1 on my cheek! I think that’s more than all the mosquito bites I’ve ever had until now! I’m not doing my part in reducing the mosquito population. I have a feeling I’m a major contributor of proteins for mosquito egg shells… thankfully, no signs of a fatal West Nile Virus infection. “I strong like bull!” Read more