What to Know About Growing Cases of Viruses From Mosquitoes
1. Dengue Fever:
- Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes
- Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, and rashes.
- Can escalate to severe forms like dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
2. Chikungunya:
- Also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes
- Causes fever, joint pain (often debilitating), headaches, and rashes.
- Symptoms can persist for weeks or even months.
3. Zika Virus:
- Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes
- Infection is usually mild, with symptoms like fever, rash, headaches, and joint pain.
- Raises concerns due to potential neurological complications, especially microcephaly in infants.
4. Yellow Fever:
- Transmitted by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes
- Symptoms can range from mild flu-like illness to severe forms characterized by jaundice, bleeding, and organ dysfunction.
- Vaccination is recommended for travelers to risk areas.
5. West Nile Virus (WNV):
- Transmitted by Culex mosquitoes
- Majority of cases are asymptomatic, but some people may develop fever, aches, and neurological problems like meningitis or encephalitis.
Prevention:
1. Mosquito Repellent: Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
2. Cover Up: Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants, especially during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).
3. Mosquito Netting: Use mosquito bed nets if sleeping in areas with high mosquito populations.
4. Standing Water: Eliminate standing water around your property to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
5. Insect Screens: Install screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
6. Vaccinations: Some of the above viruses have vaccines available (e.g., yellow fever).
The spread of mosquito-borne viruses can be influenced by various factors such as travel, climate change, urbanization, and globalization, making surveillance and management essential for public health protection.