How Common Are Mosquito Diseases?
WouterAmong the most common mosquito diseases are malaria, dengue and West Nile Virus. These mosquito-transmitted diseases can be quite deadly. A single bite by an infected mosquito can give you the disease. However, most people who become infected do not develop symptoms. Some of the less severe infections may cause you to develop fever, chills, headache, body aches, and a skin rash.
Aedes aegypti is an active species of mosquito that is found in Africa. It can also be found in the southern states of the United States. These mosquitoes can transmit the infection of Rift Valley fever and yellow fever. Moreover, they can also carry a bacterial disease, tularemia.
Female Anopheles mosquitoes feed on blood from humans and animals. They can be found in areas with high human population, and they can transmit the parasitic disease, malaria. Their saliva contains anticoagulants that help prevent blood clotting.
Culex species, or house mosquitoes, are found in tropical and temperate climates. They can also transmit the parasitic disease, lymphatic filariasis.
Dengue, a viral infection, is carried by Aedes aegypti. It causes a fever, joint pain, and headache. The incubation period for the illness is 4 to 10 days. This is the most serious form of mosquito-transmitted disease in the U.S. The mortality rate is 33%.
Another mosquito-transmitted disease is West Nile Fever. This virus is transmitted by female Aedes mosquitoes. This disease can cause a fever and infection in humans and animals.
