Can Mosquitoes Give You Diseases?
WouterDespite their tiny size, mosquitoes can carry a variety of dangerous diseases. They are known to transmit a number of diseases, including malaria, West Nile Virus, and Japanese encephalitis.
The vast majority of these diseases are transmitted in Africa and tropical areas of southeast Asia. Fortunately, better sanitation and organized control efforts have helped to keep these diseases under control. However, you should still use protection when traveling.
Mosquitoes can carry a wide range of viruses and bacteria, which can cause infections. These can include malaria, dengue, and West Nile. If you are planning a trip to a country with these diseases, it is recommended that you wear protective clothing and use insect repellent.
Malaria is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite called plasmodium. When a mosquito bites a person, the parasite infects the liver and red blood cells. This causes severe illness, which can lead to death.
There are also a number of other mosquito-transmitted diseases. These include the Aedes aegypti, Culex species, and the Anopheles species. The intensity of transmission depends on the human host, the environmental conditions, and the mosquito.
Another mosquito-transmitted disease is western equine encephalitis (WEED). This disease is usually passed from an infected mosquito to her offspring. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including high fever, chills, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can progress to coma and disorientation.
Zika virus is another mosquito-transmitted disease. This disease was first identified in monkeys in 1947, but it has recently been found in humans in Africa, the United States, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
