Follow up to Mosquito on Shabbos question

Asked by Ben · February 20, 2003 · Shabbat

Question

Regarding the reply that it is prohibited to trap or kill a mosquito on Shabbos, is there a heter if one lives in a place where there are mosquito-borne illnesses - for example malaria in some tropical countries, or West Nile virus in New York. Although the prevalence of West Nile virus in NY is very low, is it enough of a fear to allow trapping/killing of a mosquito (also, what about bees if you know that other family members have bee venom allergies (which can be life-threatening), but you do not know for sure about yourself or your children) Thank you for all of your good work on behalf of the rabbim.

Answer

Answered by Rabbi Abadi

that it is prohibited to trap or kill a mosquito on Shabbos, is there a heter if one lives in a place where there are mosquito-borne illnesses - for example malaria in some tropical countries, or West Nile virus in New York. Although the prevalence of West Nile virus in NY is very low, is it enough of a fear to allow trapping/killing of a mosquito (also, what about bees if you know that other family members have bee venom allergies (which can be life-threatening), but you do not know for sure about yourself or your children) Thank you for all of your good work on behalf of the rabbim.