How Many Mosquitoes Have Malaria?
WouterApproximately one-third of the world’s population lives in regions where malaria is endemic. Malaria is transmitted by an infectious mosquito. The Anopheles mosquito is one of the most important carriers of malaria. During a blood meal, the mosquito ingests sporozoites from the blood of infected hosts. These sporozoites grow in red blood cells and liver cells. The mosquito then passes the sporozoites to another human.
Mosquitoes also transmit a number of other diseases, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, and West Nile virus. However, malaria is by far the most common. Mosquitoes infected with malaria infect 200 million people worldwide each year. These mosquitoes are able to fly over long distances.
Mosquitoes can also carry certain viruses that cause encephalitis. Some viruses cause birth defects, such as microcephaly, which can be fatal. Other viruses, such as the Western equine virus and the LaCrosse virus, cause encephalitis in humans.
Mosquitoes can also sense chemicals in their hosts’ bodies. If the host exhales carbon dioxide, the mosquito can detect it. These chemicals may contain pathogens.
The mosquito’s ability to transmit malaria depends on its genetics and behavioral traits. Mosquitoes with higher sporozoite counts have a higher probability of infecting humans. The intensity of transmission is also influenced by behavioral traits.
Mosquitoes with high residual sporozoites are also more likely to transmit malaria. Mosquitoes with higher residual sporozoites inject more sporozoites into their hosts during blood-feeding. This increased sporozoite infectivity can be used to predict mosquito-to-human transmission.
