Mosquitoes spread diseases that claim more lives than any other disease. Dr Ganesh Hande lists a few such illnesses and the symptoms to look out for
Mosquitoes are found in different parts of the globe and the insect has 3,500 species of small insects that fly. These tiny insects are millions of years old and exist as species because they’re next to impossible to wipe-out from the planet. Besides being a menace, in our ecosystem they serve as food for other species (birds, frogs, and fish) and are also pollinators.
Each year on August 20, World Mosquito Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of mosquito control and educate people to save themselves from the deadly diseases spread by the insect that remain the number one killer of humans around the world. World Mosquito Day was introduced in the year 1897 by Dr Ronald Ross when he discovered the malaria parasite in the stomach wall of the mosquito. He succeeded in confirming that the insect was a carrier of the disease and transmitted it to the human body and was awarded a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1902 for his discovery.
According to the World Health Organisation, the harmless-looking creature claims more than 1 million human lives every year.
Following are the diseases spread by mosquitoes:
Anopheles: Malaria, Lymphatic Filariasis
Aedes: Yellow fever, Chikungunya, Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, Rift Valley Fever, Zika
Culex: Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile fever
Mosquito spread diseases that claim more lives than any other diseases.
Dengue: This is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs in the sub-tropical and tropical parts of the world, spread to humans through the bite of an infected species of Aedes. In dengue there are four DENV serotypes, meaning that there are chances of getting infected four times. While DENV infections produce only mild illness, it can cause acute flu-like illness as well.
Fact: According to studies, 100 million new infections of dengue are estimated to occur annually in more than 100 countries.
Chikungunya: This disease is highly found in Asia and Africa. Most people diagnosed with this disease recover within a week or sometimes few more days. Its symptoms occur within the first week of infection with sudden fever, joint pains, fatigue, and rashes in some cases. There is no cure for the disease and the treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms. Between the years 2012 and 2016 India saw a 300 per cent rise in the cases of Chikungunya.
Fact: This disease shares some clinical signs with Zika and Dengue which can be misdiagnosed in areas where they are common.
Malaria: This disease is caused by a plasmodium parasite that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. People suffering from this disease have symptoms like fever, chills, and sweatiness. This disease is curable by treatment from an expert doctor and It is also preventable by taking protective drugs before entering an area contaminated by the disease.
Fact: The majority of deaths due to mosquitoes are caused by Malaria which alone has around 4, 35,000 deaths as per a report in 2017.
Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is also commonly known as Jaundice in many parts of the world. This disease is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. No specific treatments for the disease exist so far. Efforts focus mainly on managing symptoms and limiting complications.
Fact: While most symptoms of the disease clear up after three or four days, some cases enter a second phase, which can cause high fever, severe bleeding, and organ failure.
India being a favorite habitat for mosquitoes, during the monsoon season, and the hot tropical area with large population invites the female mosquitoes who are the carriers of the diseases. The spread of mosquito-borne diseases can be reduced only by taking precautions and being informed about the tiny killer.
The writer is Consulting Physician, Suasth Hospital