10 Mosquito Borne Diseases

Mosquitoes are renowned for passing diseases onto humans, and the list gets longer every year. The best form of defense against a mosquito borne disease is prevention, using medicines, bug repellant and long-sleeved clothing.

Dengue Fever

This is perhaps one of the most deadly of all mosquito borne diseases. It commonly occurs in areas where the climate is tropical or subtropical, such as Asia and India. There is no specific medicine for treating this disease, but doctors will usually prescribe a medicine called acetaminophen.

Symptoms include:

• High fever that comes on suddenly
• Pain behind eyes
• Severe headache
• Pain in the joints and muscles
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Bleeding from the nose or gums

West Nile Virus

This virus is common in birds and animals, but it can be transferred to humans as well. It can also be spread through breast milk from mother to baby, and through saliva. The circulation of the blood is affected by this virus, and the brain can become damaged. Often there are no symptoms until late in the disease process, but minor symptoms that can occur in the early phase include:

• Fever
• Aches
• Headache
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Rash

Malaria

One of the most commonly known diseases carried by mosquitoes is malaria. There are two viruses responsible for malaria called Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, and they are transmitted by female mosquitoes. Once these viruses enter the bloodstream, they are then carried to the liver. The malaria parasites continue to multiply inside the human body, and symptoms that occur include:

• Shaking chills that range from moderate to severe
• High fever
• Sweating
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Headache

Yellow Fever

Acute Phase:

• Fever
• Aches in the muscles, especially the knees and the back
• Headache
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• No appetite
• Dizziness
• Red face, tongue or eyes

Toxic Phase:

• Jaundice
• Vomiting and abdominal pain
• Occasional vomiting of blood
• Decreased urination
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Bleeding from the mouth, eyes and nose
• Seizures, delirium and coma

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Rift Valley Fever

Previous outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever have been recorded in Saudi Arabia, Asia and West Africa. There is a higher risk of catching Rift Valley Fever if living with animals such as sheep, goats, cows, cattle and buffaloes. Often there are no reported symptoms, or a mild illness with abnormal liver function. Mild cases usually involve fever, back pain, weakness and dizziness, and recovery is usually quite quick. In a small number of cases however, symptoms can be more severe, and these include:

• Lesions on the eyes
• Vision loss
• Encephalitis
• Hemorrhagic fever

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Murray Valley Encephalitis

This mosquito borne disease can be deadly, and the highest rate of infection occurs in northern Australia. There is no known treatment or vaccine for this disease as yet, and the patient is treated therapeutically, managing the symptoms. In many cases, the patient will make a full recovery, but for others, brain damage can be severe, and may necessitate long-term care. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Encephalitis

Chikungunya

Another disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, Chikungunya can be considered deadly for some patients. However, if the patient receives treatment quickly and the disease is managed appropriately, they will normally make a full recovery. The main symptoms are:

• Joint aches
• Muscle pains
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Rash

Japanese Encephalitis

Commonly found in areas such as Asia, north Queensland in Australia and New Guinea, Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease that affects the brain. Although many recover fully from this disease, it can lead to permanent damage to the brain or even death. Generally it is treated with a vaccine and supportive measures. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Seizures
• Coma

Dog Heartworm

More commonly found in dogs and cats, Dog Heartworm can also be transferred to humans by mosquito bite. Often found in America and Canada, the severity of this disease in humans can range from mild to severe. The heartworm is actually a roundworm, and when the mosquito bites, the larvae are transferred in the saliva. Many people show no symptoms, but for others the following may occur:

• Pain in the chest
• Hemoptysis (coughing blood)
• Cough
• Wheeze
• Mild fever
• Malaise
• Chills

Western Equine Encephalitis

Back in 1930, Western Equine Encephalitis was discovered in Mexico and Canada. Commonly found in horses, there are also up to 1000 human cases reported each year. There is no specific treatment fort Western Equine Encephalitis other than supportive measures, managing symptoms. The risk is more severe in babies, and if encephalitis develops it can lead to brain damage or death. Symptoms that can occur include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Confusion and disorientation
• Irritability
• Seizures
• Coma

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Conclusion

This is just a selection of some of the diseases carried by mosquitoes and passed on to humans. Perhaps the scariest thing about them is that the symptoms, especially in the early stages, are almost all the same. They are typical of many viral infections, of which a lot of patients don’t bother to seek treatment. Therefore, they may be infected with a deadly disease and not even realize it until it’s too late.

Most mosquito borne diseases have no cure, or specific treatments, and depending on where you are in the world, treatment options may be even less than in Western countries. If you have traveled overseas, or live in any country that is prone to these diseases, it is imperative that you seek medical assistance at the first sign of any illness.