Discover interesting insights about mosquitoes and learn how to keep them at bay.
When a mosquito feeds on blood, it also swallows any viruses or parasites living in the blood. These viruses and parasites can be transferred to the next person the mosquito bites through its saliva. Any disease that is spread in this way from mosquito to human (or animal) is known as a 'mosquito-borne disease'.
While the mosquito may not be affected, these mosquito-borne diseases can cause immense suffering for humans. Roughly 390 million people are infected each year with dengue, and hundreds of thousands more are affected by Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable.
The infection is caused by a parasite and does not spread from person to person.
Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening. Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
Prevention Tip: Use insecticide-treated nets and repellents when traveling to endemic areas.
The Breakbone Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. Common symptoms of dengue include fever, rash, nausea and aches and pains, lasting up to a week. Some people with dengue develop complications that can result in internal bleeding, shock and even death. Severe dengue requires careful monitoring in hospital. In recent decades, the global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically, with more than half of the world's population now at risk. Every year, approximately 36,000 people around the world die from dengue fever.
Prevention Tip: Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water and using mosquito repellents.
A Threat to Pregnant Women
Zika fever, also known as Zika virus disease or simply Zika, is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Zika virus. In many cases there are no symptoms, but it can present in a similar way to dengue fever. Symptoms might include fever, red eyes, joint pain, headache and a maculopapular rash. Women who are infected by Zika virus during pregnancy can bear children with serious health conditions, including microcephaly, which can cause life-long disabilities.
Prevention Tip: Use insect repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing, and avoid travel to affected regions if pregnant.
Debilitating Joint Pain
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans via infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Symptoms typically include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash. In most cases, a patient's condition will improve within a week, however occasionally the joint pain may last for months or even years. Chikungunya shares some clinical signs with Zika and dengue, leading to potential misdiagnosis in areas where these diseases are prevalent.
Prevention Tip: Wear protective clothing and use mosquito nets, especially in affected areas.
Neurological Threat
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of West Nile occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people. Fortunately, most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. Reduce your risk of West Nile by preventing mosquito bites.
Prevention Tip: Reduce outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn when Culex mosquitoes are most active.
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