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GhanaWeb Feature by Joycelyn Kyei-Baffuor
When considering the diseases that getting bitten by mosquitoes come with, malaria and dengue fever are often the first ones that come to mind.
These illnesses are indeed among the most well-known and devastating diseases spread by mosquitoes.
The IS Global Barcelona Institute for Global Health notes that the mosquito is one of the deadliest animals in the world, responsible for up to 1 million human deaths per year.
This tiny insect, while not acting alone, transmits viruses or parasites that cause devastating diseases.
“What makes it so dangerous is its capacity to transmit viruses or other parasites that cause devastating diseases. Every year, malaria alone, transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, kills 600,000 people (mainly children) and incapacitates another 200 million for days.
"Other mosquito-borne diseases include dengue, which causes 100 to 400 million cases per year worldwide, yellow fever, which has a high mortality rate, or Japanese encephalitis, which causes more than 10,000 deaths per year, mostly in Asia. Not to forget Zika virus, with its recently described devastating and long-term neurological effects in babies born to infected mothers,” the institute emphasized.
Another report by the Texas Department of State Health Services also highlights six other deadly diseases transmitted by mosquitoes that pose a significant public health threat too.
Other mosquito-borne diseases
Zika Virus
It is spread primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. It has gained global attention due to its association with severe birth defects such as microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers.
It can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
This disease is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. WNV can cause a range of symptoms from mild fever to severe neurological diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis.
It primarily affects birds but can be transmitted to humans and horses. Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) is a viral illness that is transmitted to people and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
The Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a viral illness that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
The virus is closely related to Western Equine Encephalitis and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viruses. Horses, other equines, and some birds can develop a severe illness which can be fatal. EEE is very rare in humans, and it is not passed from person to person.
There is no specific treatment for EEE; care is based on treating symptoms. There is no vaccine to prevent EEE in humans, but there is a vaccine for horses.
St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) is a viral illness spread from the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes are infected by feeding on infected birds.
The SLE virus grows both in the infected mosquito and the infected bird, but does not make either one sick. Only infected mosquitoes can transmit the SLE virus to humans. SLE is not transmissible from person to person, and pets and livestock do not get sick from SLE infection.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes that are most active at night, from dusk to dawn.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a disease caused by the chikungunya virus, which usually occurs in tropical and subtropical areas.
Most cases in the United States are in travelers and immigrants returning from countries where local transmission is common.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes that are most active during daylight hours but can also be active at night. The same mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya can also transmit the Zika and dengue viruses.
Chikungunya is not spread from person to person, and pets and livestock do not get sick from chikungunya infection. There is no vaccine to prevent or specific medicine to treat chikungunya virus.
The Importance of Prevention and Awareness
While the threat posed by mosquitoes may seem overwhelming, preventive measures can make a significant difference.
Mosquito control, use of insect repellents, and community education are critical to reducing the spread of these diseases and protecting public health globally.
Awareness and proactive measures remain essential in combating these often-hidden but deadly threats posed by mosquitoes.
JKB/AE
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