Mosquito-borne infectious diseases: threats and prevention

Mosquitoes are among the most dangerous animals in the world. Their bites transmit numerous deadly diseases, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year. According to statistics, mosquito-borne diseases (such as malaria and dengue fever) infect over hundreds of millions of people, posing a serious threat to public health. This article will introduce the main mosquito-borne infectious diseases, their transmission mechanisms, and prevention and control measures.

I. How Do Mosquitoes Spread Diseases?

Mosquitoes transmit pathogens (viruses, parasites, etc.) from infected people or animals to healthy people by sucking blood. The transmission process includes:

1. Bite of an infected person: The mosquito inhales blood containing the pathogen.
2. Pathogen multiplication within the mosquito: The virus or parasite develops within the mosquito (e.g., Plasmodium completes its life cycle within the Anopheles mosquito).
3. Transmission to a new host: When the mosquito bites again, the pathogen enters the body through saliva.

Different mosquito species transmit different diseases, such as:

• Aedes aegypti – Dengue, Chikv, Zika, Yellow Fever
• Anopheles mosquitoes – Malaria
• Culex mosquitoes – West Nile Virus, Japanese Encephalitis

II. Major Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases

(1) Viral Diseases

1. Dengue Fever
   • Pathogen: Dengue virus (4 serotypes)
   • Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, muscle pain; may progress to hemorrhage or shock.
   • Endemic regions: Tropical and subtropical areas (Southeast Asia, Latin America).
2. Zika Virus Disease
   • Risk: Infection in pregnant women can cause microcephaly in babies; linked to neurological disorders.

3. Chikungunya Fever

• Cause: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)
• Main mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus
• Symptoms: High fever, severe joint pain (which may last for several months).

4.Yellow Fever

• Symptoms: Fever, jaundice, bleeding; high fatality rate (vaccine available).

5. Japanese Encephalitis

• Vector: Culex tritaeniorhynchus
• Symptoms: Encephalitis, high mortality rate (common in rural Asia).

(2) Parasitic Diseases

1. Malaria
   • Pathogen: Malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly)
   • Symptoms: Periodic chills, high fever, and anemia. Approximately 600,000 deaths annually.
2. Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
   
   • Pathogen: Filarial worms (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi)
   • Symptoms: Lymphatic damage, leading to limb or genital swelling.

III. How to prevent mosquito-borne diseases?

1. Personal Protection
   • Use mosquito repellent (containing DEET or picaridin).
   • Wear long-sleeved clothing and use mosquito nets (especially those treated with antimalarial insecticide).
   • Avoid going out during mosquito season (dusk and dawn).
2. Environmental Control
   • Remove standing water (e.g., in flower pots and tires) to prevent mosquito breeding.
   • Spray insecticides in your community or use biological control (e.g., raising mosquito fish).
3. Vaccination
   • Yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis vaccines are effective preventives.
   • Dengue fever vaccine (Dengvaxia) is available in some countries, but its use is limited.

IV. Global Challenges in Disease Control

• Climate change: Mosquito-borne diseases are spreading to temperate regions (e.g., dengue in Europe).
• Insecticide resistance: Mosquitoes are developing resistance to common insecticides.
• Vaccine limitations: Malaria vaccine (RTS,S) has partial efficacy; better solutions are needed.

Conclusion

Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major global health threat, particularly in tropical regions. Effective prevention—through mosquito control, vaccination, and public health measures—can significantly reduce infections. International cooperation, technological innovation, and public awareness are key to combating these diseases in the future.

Baysen Medical is  always focus on diagnostic technique  to improve the quality of life . We have developed  5 technology platforms-  Latex , colloidal gold , Fluorescence Immunochromatographic Assay , Molecular,Chemiluminescence Immunoassay.We have Den-NS1 Rapid test, Den-IgG/IgM rapid test, Dengue IgG/IgM-NS1 Combo rapid test, Mal-PF Rapid test, Mal-PF/PV Rapid test, Mal-PF/PAN Rapid test  for  early screening of these infectious disease .