What are mosquito-borne diseases?
When a mosquito feeds on blood, it also swallows any viruses or parasites living in the blood. These viruses and parasites can be transferred to the next person the mosquito bites through its saliva. Any disease that is spread in this way from mosquito to human (or animal) is known as a 'mosquito-borne disease'.
While the mosquito may not be affected, these mosquito-borne diseases can cause immense suffering for humans. Roughly 390 million people are infected each year with dengue, and hundreds of thousands more are affected by Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Common types of mosquito-borne diseases include malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika.
Zika fever, also known as Zika virus disease or simply Zika, is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Zika virus. In many cases there are no symptoms, but it can present in a similar way to dengue fever. Symptoms might include fever, red eyes, joint pain, headache and a maculopapular rash. Women who are infected by Zika virus during pregnancy can bear children with serious health conditions, including microcephaly, which can cause life-long disabilities.
Common symptoms
- Fever
- Rash
- Conjunctivitis
- Headache
- Muscle and joint aches
Dengue fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. Common symptoms of dengue include fever, rash, nausea and aches and pains, lasting up to a week. Some people with dengue develop complications that can result in internal bleeding, shock and even death. Severe dengue requires careful monitoring in hospital. In recent decades, the global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically, with more than half of the world's population now at risk. Every year, approximately 36,000 people around the world die from dengue fever.
Common symptoms
- High fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Joint pain
- Rash
Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains (particularly in the back) and headaches. Symptoms tend to improve within five days, however approximately 30,000 people around the world die from yellow fever every year. Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The 'yellow' in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.
Common symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans via infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Symptoms typically include fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash. In most cases, a patient's condition will improve within a week, however occasionally the joint pain may last for months or even years. Chikungunya shares some clinical signs with Zika and dengue, leading to potential misdiagnosis in areas where these diseases are prevalent.
Common symptoms
- Sudden fever
- Joint and muscle pain
- Rash
- Headache
- Fatigue
