How Are Mosquitoes Deadly?
WouterThousands of people die every year from mosquito-borne diseases. These mosquitoes carry viruses and parasites that can cause a variety of disabling illnesses. Some of these viruses include encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and Zika.
Approximately 200 million people get malaria every year. This disease can cause severe illness that incapacitates a person for days. It is caused by the Anopheles mosquito. Male mosquitoes don’t bite, but they do carry the virus.
Female mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on earth, and they are responsible for more than one million deaths each year. They attack humans, birds, reptiles and amphibians. They also carry parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis, a serious disease.
Mosquitoes are also the source of a number of other disabling diseases. Some of these diseases include Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile fever and malaria.
Dengue is the leading cause of death in the tropics. It is spread by mosquitoes, and is endemic in more than 100 countries. The disease causes blood vessels to bleed. This leads to vomiting and chills.
Other mosquito-borne diseases include lymphatic filariasis, encephalitis, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis. There are vaccines available to protect against some of these diseases.
The Anopheles mosquito is responsible for malaria, the world’s most deadly parasite. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa, where it causes more than 400,000 deaths annually.
Female mosquitoes can also transmit other diseases to humans. Some of these diseases include lymphatic filariasis, dengue fever, and Zika. They can also carry the LaCrosse virus, which primarily affects children.
