So what is the world's deadliest animal?

Mosquitoes

Many of us view mosquitoes as more of an annoyance than a threat, but the tiny insects are far and away the deadliest animals on earth.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 725,000 people are killed each year by mosquito-born diseases. A staggering 200 million people are at least temporarily incapacitated by malaria alone, of which 600,000 die.

Dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis are also deadly diseases carried by mosquitoes.

At least one influential individual is spreading the word about the killer insects.