The facts are disturbing. What will anyone answer to the question of the dangerous animal in the world? You will mutter a komodo dragon (if you watch Animal Planet). Some will whisper a dinosaur (if they are fans of Jurassic Park series). And children, rolling their eyes will shout “Godzilla?.” Now do not feel surprised, as the animal we specify comes among the tiny species, mosquito. Gasp? Is it true? YES. The diseases spread over by mosquitoes’ bites account to more than 700,000 deaths every year. Even the deaths from snakes come to a mere 50,000. In this article, you gain information about 6 common mosquito borne diseases.
It is not, that the mosquito types (different species) attack only humans. They can also spread diseases which can affect dogs, humans, horses and animals. The number of deaths and health related problems because of malaria come to a million every year. This data is according to the US Centers of Disease Control. There are other diseases such as West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever. In recent times, scientists have expresses concern about the mosquito population. The reason – global warming in many parts of the world will amount to explosion of mosquito diseases.
Now let us look into the major diseases caused by mosquitoes –
Mosquito Borne Diseases – Do Mosquitoes’ Bites Kill People?
1. Malaria – Common Mosquito Borne Disease In India
In 2015, 4,38,000 people, mainly children lost their lives due to this disease. Malaria in Africa affected a major number of children. If you are a traveller, you do not have to worry about this disease in developed countries such as Canada and US. But it is source of worry when the journey revolves around Africa, South Asia etc.
The symptoms of malaria are fever, muscle pain, headaches, tiredness, shivers and nausea. You can find the symptoms within ten to 28 days of getting bitten by mosquitoes which carry malaria. A severe condition will lead to the loss of red blood cells. It can lead to coma, death, paralysis and kidney failure if malaria treatments are not given at the proper stages.
Malaria causes
The disease is because of the parasites known as Plasmodium falciparum. The other parasite is Plasmodium vivax.
Malaria life cycle
It is the female Anopheles mosquitoes that ingest the parasites while sucking the blood of an infected individual. The parasites then grow to large numbers in the mosquito’s body for a duration of ten to eighteen days. The infected mosquito injects saliva while sucking the blood. This accounts for transmission of malaria diseases.
In the human body, the parasites then find their way to the liver. The Plasmodium falciparum/vivax grow and multiply. They then work their way to development in red blood cells. They destroy these cells and then the symptoms starts.
2. West Nile Virus
The mere mention of the name, and you know that this virus was first found in the West Nile region (Uganda). Year – 1937. It was in 2012, that one of the most developed country of the world, US lost 286 people because of the virus. The West Nile Virus is a neurological disease. The major disadvantage – 80 percent of infected individuals show no symptoms. The best remedy is control of mosquitoes.
West Nile Virus Symptoms
The transmission source is Culex mosquitoes when they feed on infected birds. They, then spread to the humans via their saliva during the time of feeding. The virus gets multiplied in the human bloodstream and go to the brain. The West Nile virus then affect the nervous system. The result – inflammation in the brain tissues. The major symptoms are headaches, high fever, stiff neck and swollen nymph.
In severe conditions, the infection can lead to death, coma and convulsions. The individual may survive, but will face permanent damage to the brain. Major disadvantage – no proper treatment for the West Nile virus. But it has to be foretold, that it is very rare, that a person suffers from severe symptoms. A person with low immunity or a person over 50 years can get affected with virus.
West Nile Virus Treatment
Affected individuals develop natural immunity to the virus for the rest of their lifetime.
3. Zika – One of The Dangerous Mosquito borne diseases
The Zika virus attained recognition after the outbreak in the country, Brazil. The symptoms – red eyes, pain in joints, fever and rashes (known as Zika rash). The health problems do not last more than a week. The source of transmission is Aedes mosquito. The Zika virus can spread via sexual transmission. The major reason for the furore, is because the virus can lead to microcephaly. This disease leads to deformation of skulls in babies. If a pregnant woman gets infected, the disease can produce a child which has a underdeveloped brain and a smaller head than the normal.
Zika Virus Treatment
The major problem, there is no cure, treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus. Travellers going to infected areas should take precautionary measures from mosquito bites.
Zika Virus and Pregnancy
Pregnant women, should not go to countries, where the virus is prevalent. The countries are Cape Verde, Brazil, Bolivia, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, Panama, Mexico, American Samoa, Venezuela, Saint Martin etc.
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4. Dengue
Indians, have definitely heard of the name ‘dengue.’ The spread of this mosquito disease is more in tropical regions. Example – Latin American and South East Asian countries. The number of deaths amount to 10,000 per year.
7 Warning Signs of Dengue Fever
You can see the symptoms between 15 days of infection. Examples – pain in the joints, pain in muscles, vomiting, headache, weakness, high fever and skin rashes.
Dengue Symptoms In Child and Adult
The dengue infection can also lead to an advanced stage. Then the infected person can suffer from bleeding and bruises. The symptoms are signs of dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Dengue Fever Vaccine
It is sad, there is no particular medicine to completely prevent signs of dengue fever. If the fever of affected person goes down or if he/she feels worse in the next 24 hours, it is mandatory to consult a doctor.
5. Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is one of the most common mosquito borne diseases in Africa. Would you believe, it causes deaths to the number of 30,000? The number of infected persons come to 200,000.
What are the symptoms of yellow fever?
This mosquito diseases’ symptoms are the loss of appetite, pain in muscles, headaches, chills and fever.
Yellow Fever Treatment
It is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. But curable vaccine is available for Yellow Fever. You can get relief from the symptoms. but if the recurrence occurs within five days, then there are chances of liver damage. And there is no need to inform our loyal readers, the next phase is jaundice. The transmitter of the disease – Aedes mosquito.
6. Chikungunya
Believed to have originated in Caribbean countries. Counted as one among the most mosquito borne diseases in India.
Chikungunya Prevention
The major prevention method is mosquito control – reduction of breeding areas.
Chikungunya Symptoms
The symptoms, are pain in the joints, last longer periods even after the cure. Like Dengue, the fever is also caused by Aedes mosquitoes. Other symptoms of the fever include chills, vomiting, rashes, low back pain and sudden fever.
Conclusion
In this article, we have given information on only 6 common mosquito borne diseases. Are mosquitoes ruining your stay in Bangalore? As one of the leaders in home maintenance services, Bro4u leads the pest control pack with its qualified and verified vendors. Just give us a call at the number on the website or place a request via the Bro4u app. Our top quality pest control vendors in Bangalore will select the best program right for your needs. Are you a person who takes pride in herbal treatments? Do not worry. We also have qualified vendors who offer services concerned with herbal pest control in Bangalore.
