The National Science Museum (NSM), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation opened an exhibition on “Mosquitoes… The World’s Deadliest Creature,” to explain the long and amazing history of the study of mosquitos study in Thailand. The U.S. Embassy in Thailand donated an old collection of 50,000 mosquito specimens to support the exhibit. Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin Raviwongse, president of NSM, Colonel Eric Garges, Chief of the Department of Retrovirology, WRAIR-AFRIMS (Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, USA), and Mr. Marc Gilkey, South Asia -Pacific Regional Manager, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), U.S. Embassy Bangkok, joined the opening ceremony of the exhibition on December 20, 2024 at Natural History Museum, NSM, Klong 5, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani province.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin said “The exhibition on “Mosquitoes… The World’s Deadliest Creature” is the latest exhibition created under an association of NSM, AFRIMS and Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University. It aims the audience to learn and get an insight of the deadliest mosquitoes as spreading disease insects, and the requirement of mosquito research to control and eliminate them. In Thailand, the prevalence of mosquitoes has been rapidly due to its warm and humid climate. The transmitting of mosquito diseases is therefore a challenge to manage them. The exhibition will provide knowledge and understanding about mosquitoes which the audience can bring them to improve quality of life. Importantly, the audience will observe samples of mosquito’s specimens found in Thailand, and well collected in the NSM Natural History Museum. In addition, the AFRIMS, USA has also handed over us a collection of 50,000 samples of mosquito’s specimens; 45 - 60 years of age. In this occasion, NSM wish to thank you AFRIM for their donation that has made NSM becomes the largest mosquito specimens’ collection in this country. The collection will transfer and inspire the public to be interested and work more on taxonomy.”
Colonel Eric Garges, Chief of the Department of Retrovirology, WRAIR-AFRIMS, said, “We are an organization involved in military medical research, recognizing the importance of applying scientific and technological knowledge to enhance health and advance medical science. I am pleased to contribute to the development of this exhibition by donating over 50,000 well-preserved mosquito specimens to NSM. The US Army’s fight against mosquito-borne diseases dates back to Major Walter Reed’s groundbreaking work during the construction of the Panama Canal. At WRAIR-AFRIMS, we have proudly partnered with Thailand for over 60 years, conducting medical research. Our Entomology Department’s comprehensive surveillance has led to remarkable discoveries. This mosquito collection donation to NSM symbolizes our strong collaboration and partnership with Thailand’s scientific community over the decades. We look forward to continuing this legacy of collaborative research excellence in Thailand.”
Mr.Marc said “U.S.A. has faced significant challenges in mosquito control and disease management. Despite its advanced infrastructure and resources, the U.S. can contend with outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. For Thailand, the prevalence of mosquito species is particularly notable due to the warm and humidity can support breeding of the mosquitoes, for example, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles which transmit diseases like dengue fever, malaria and the Zika virus.”
He added “the fight against mosquito and mosquito borne diseases requires public education, understanding among people, and science-based research to support holistic wellness. The collaboration of exhibition held today shows international cooperation and collective efforts to combat against threads of mosquito. This exhibition will be an initiative for transmitting knowledge to youth and people about the spreading of mosquitoes with recommendations of prevention and reducing the challenges of outbreaks in Thailand.”
The exhibition on “Mosquitoes… The World’s Deadliest Creature” has displayed from December 20, 2024 until February 2, 2025 at Natural History Museum, NSM, Klong 5, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani. The exhibition opens on Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-03:00 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday and public holidays, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (close on Monday). For more details, please call NSM at Tel: 0 2577 9999 ext. 2122 – 2123, or visit NSM Facebook: NSM Thailand.
