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Mosquito-borne diseases are illnesses spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the mosquito-borne disease. Most people don’t get sick or have only mild symptoms after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes, Why We Hate Them?
Mosquitoes are common flying insects that live in most parts of the world. Almost everyone has had the unpleasant experience of being bitten by a mosquito.
Here are some facts about Mosquitoes:
- Mosquitoes can bite day and night.
- It takes just a few infected mosquitoes to start an outbreak in a community and put you and your family at risk of becoming sick.
- Adult mosquitoes live indoors and outdoors.
- Adult mosquitoes live for about 2 to 4 weeks depending on the temperature, humidity, species, and other factors. Female mosquitoes often live longer than male mosquitoes.
Where Do Mosquitoes Live and Breed?
Mosquitoes prefer stagnant water within which to lay their eggs. They most commonly infest:
- Marshes
- Ponds
- Swamps
- Other wetland habitats
Some mosquitoes prefer to live near people, while others prefer forests or tall grasses. Since mosquito larvae and pupae live in water without much flow, mosquitoes like water. They can, however, thrive in many locations and grow in numbers even when they are not in their natural habitat. Mosquitoes deposit eggs in containers of water in many species.
Diseases Caused By Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes swallow viruses and parasites from the blood when they feed on it. Mosquitoes transmit viruses and parasites through their saliva to the next person they bite. The term mosquito-borne disease refers to any disease spread this way from mosquito to human (or animal).
The mosquito may not be affected by these mosquito-borne diseases, but humans can suffer greatly from them. Approximately 390 million people contract dengue each year, and hundreds of thousands more contract Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
Mosquito-borne diseases include:
- Malaria
- Dengue
- West Nile virus
- Chikungunya
- Yellow fever
- Zika
Guides On How to Get Rid Of Mosquitoes At Home
- Avoid leaving the doors open.
- Repair or replace damaged screens. If you notice damage to the screens in your windows, patch or replace them before the weather turns warm to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
- You can try an indoor fogger as a last resort if your mosquito problem seems like it’s gotten out of control.
- Use a manual or electric fly swatter.
How To Avoid Getting Bit By Mosquitoes?
- Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where mosquitoes can get to your skin.
- Keep mosquitoes away from exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
- Stay indoors when possible, especially if there is a mosquito-borne disease warning in effect.
- Use mosquito repellents when needed.
- Use head nets, long sleeves, and long pants if you venture into areas with high mosquito populations.
If you got infected, this is the medication recommended:
- Lariago (Chloroquine) – this is an antimalarial medication that works by preventing or treating malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito.
