August 20 is World Mosquito Day

August 20 is known as World Mosquito Day.

On this day in 1897, British doctor Sir Ronald Ross discovered that female mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting malaria. In addition to recognizing Sir Ross, today is a reminder of the deadly threat mosquitoes pose to humans. 

According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are responsible for roughly 750-thousand death around the world. Sharks, on the other hand, are responsible for ten. 

So why do some people attract mosquitos while others don't?

"There's different theories for that. Some theories are that it is a person's body heat and the more body heat a person emits, the more attracted mosquitoes are to them. The amount of carbon dioxide that is given off of a person can also attract mosquitoes," said Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez, of the Austin Regional Clinic.