Did you know that mosquitoes, belonging to the family Culicidae, comprise over 3,600 species? With such a vast number of species, it’s not surprising that they are responsible for spreading a variety of mosquito-borne illnesses. However, only certain species act as vectors, meaning they can transmit germs or viruses to humans, leading to illnesses such as malaria, dengue, Zika, and more. Interestingly, it’s the female mosquitoes that bite, as they require blood to nourish their eggs.
This article is part of OnlyMyHealth's "Mosquito-Mukt India" initiative for World Mosquito Day 2024, where we will discuss the various types of mosquitoes, how they spread, and effective ways to prevent them.
Also Read: Prevention Of Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How To Reduce Mosquito Breeding During Monsoon
Types Of Mosquito-Borne Diseases
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Ajay V Shenoy, Sr Resident, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE, Manipal, says that mosquitoes are responsible for spreading many diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, and several other diseases.
She adds that these diseases become a burden due to their rapid spread during the monsoon season in tropical countries like India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 80% of the world’s population is at risk of one or more vector-borne diseases, including mosquito-borne illnesses.
Let's take a look at them in detail:
Malaria
Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. It spreads to humans when a person gets bitten by an infective mosquito carrying the malaria parasite. It is important to note that only female Anopheles mosquitoes can spread malaria from one person to another, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Common symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain.
Dengue fever
Dengue is caused by the dengue virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It primarily transmits through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which becomes infected when it bites someone already carrying the virus.
Some of the characteristics of dengue include sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and swollen glands. In some cases, people may also experience rashes; this usually appears 3–4 days after the fever starts.
Zika virus
Dengue and Zika virus are closely related to both the mosquito-borne illnesses transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti. One of the main differences between the two is that while dengue can cause haemorrhagic fever, Zika causes congenital neurological defects. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, headache, joint and muscle pain, and red eyes.
West Nile virus
West Nile virus belongs to the family of Flaviviridae and is typically spread by mosquitoes. It usually spreads in the environment between Culex species and birds. It transmits to humans when an infected mosquito feeds on infected birds and then bites people. This particular illness can lead to abdominal pain, fever, headache, lack of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes.
Chikungunya
The mosquitoes that cause the chikungunya disease are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito and is transmitted when the mosquito bites a person carrying the chikungunya virus and then bites another person. Some of its common symptoms are fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, and joint swelling.
Also Read: Chikungunya Virus Infection: Know About Its Transmission And Treatment
Yellow fever
The WHO suggests that as of 2023, 34 countries in Africa and 13 countries in Central and South America are either endemic for, or have regions that are endemic for, yellow fever. This mosquito-borne disease is caused by an arbovirus, which is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. Fever, chills, a severe headache, back pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness are some of its characteristic symptoms.
Japanese encephalitis
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Japanese encephalitis is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes. These usually breed in waterlogged areas and are most active during the night. It can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation of the brain, and in some cases, it can be fatal.
Lymphatic filariasis
According to the WHO, lymphatic filariasis threatens over 88.2 crore people in 44 countries worldwide and needs preventive chemotherapy to stop the spread of this parasitic infection. Commonly known as elephantiasis, it occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. The condition can cause damage to the lymphatic system and the kidneys and lead to symptoms such as chronic, severe swelling of the legs, arms, breasts, and genitals.
Who Is At Risk?
While anyone and everyone is prone to mosquito bites and, consequently, mosquito-borne illnesses, some people may be more at risk of developing these diseases. These include individuals who live in:
- Warm and humid climates, where global warming creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.
- Areas prone to frequent rainfall and flooding, which can lead to increased mosquito activity.
- Regions with stagnant water sources, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
- Communities with poor sanitation and hygiene, where mosquito populations can thrive.
- Locations where protective measures, such as insecticides and bed nets, are not widely used.
Preventive Measures
Here are some precautionary steps to take to protect yourself and your family, as recommended by Dr Shenoy:
- At an individual level, using insecticides and repellents, wearing protective clothing, and wearing bed nets.
- As a community, we are spreading awareness about diseases and eliminating stagnant water around homes.
- And at the level of government, to further formulate awareness programs for all age groups and to have integrated programs for prevention and treatment of the diseases.
Bottomline
Several types of mosquito-borne diseases exist, and most spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Many of them share overlapping symptoms, which can make it difficult to differentiate between them. It is therefore crucial to consult a doctor and understand what your symptoms mean. Moreover, by taking proper measures, such as eliminating stagnant water, using insect repellents, and spreading awareness together, we can reduce the risk of these diseases. We at OnlyMyHealth urge you to stay informed and vigilant, especially in regions where mosquito activity is high.