8 DEADLY MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES

mosquito

Health is wealth. This is why every information about your health should be taken seriously.

If you live in climates where there is a constant threat of a mosquito bite, it’s important you know that a mosquito bite can do more damage than you think.

Below are 8 deadly mosquito-borne diseases

1. ZIKA VIRUS

Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus can be passed from a pregnant mother to child resulting in babies born with microcephaly (abnormally small brains). Some of the symptoms include mild fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.

2. JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS

Found normally in Asia. It’s very possible to get infected with Japanese Encephalitis without showing any symptoms. Japanese Encephalitis can result in severe inflammation of the brain accompanied by seizures.

3. MALARIA

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium.  Symptoms tied to malaria include headache, fever and vomiting. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs.

4. LA CROSSE ENCEPHALITIS

La Crosse Encephalitis virus (LACV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus that can cause inflammation of the brain. Symptoms include nausea, headache, vomiting, seizures, coma, paralysis and permanent brain damage in severe cases. It usually takes 5 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop the symptoms.

5. YELLOW FEVER

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The ‘yellow’ in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. Yellow fever is difficult to diagnose, especially during the early stages as it can be confused with severe malaria, dengue hemorrhagic fever and viral hepatitis. Yellow fever is spread primarily by mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti species. Vaccination is the most important preventive measure against yellow fever.

6. WESTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS (WEE)

Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) is a viral illness transmitted to people and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is spread by Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Most people infected with WEE virus will have either no symptoms or a very mild illness. Most of the severe human cases begin with a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting and lethargy. Within two to four days, the illness may progress into disorientation, irritability, seizures and coma. There is no treatment for WEE other than supportive care until the acute phase of the illness is over.

7. DENGUE

Dengue fever is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with the dengue virus. Some of the symptoms of dengue fever include sudden high fever, severe headaches, severe joint and muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, bleeding gums, nose bleed and skin rash.

8. WEST NILE VIRUS

West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. West Nile virus can cause neurological disease and death in people. Most people infected with the West Nile virus have no signs or symptoms. About 20 percent develop a mild infect called West Nile fever. Some of the symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and skin rash. The virus can also cause a serious neurological infection, including inflammation of the brain.

S.O.Z

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