8 most dangerous diseases caused by mosquitoes

(Baonghean.vn) - Every year, more than 1.5 million people worldwide die and hundreds of millions of people get sick from mosquito-borne diseases. Below are statistics of dangerous diseases caused by mosquito bites.

1. Zika virus

Zika virus is the culprit causing microcephaly in newborns.

Zika virus was first discovered in Africa in the 1940s and has since spread to South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is transmitted mainly through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. For most people, symptoms from the virus are mild: fever, rash, joint pain, pink eye, and resolve within a week.

However, scientists suspect that the disease is dangerous for pregnant women and their fetuses, possibly causing birth defects, causing the brain to shrink, leading to microcephaly. Microcephaly causes children to not develop fully, suffer from mental retardation and other problems. There is currently no specific medicine to prevent the Zika virus.

2. West Nile virus

West Nile virus is caused by Aedes mosquitoes.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is commonly found in animals and birds, but has recently been reported to be found in human cells. It is spread through saliva and from mother to child through breastfeeding.

Most people infected do not have any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people have symptoms such as fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, diarrhea, joint pain, vomiting, and rash. In some severe cases, the disease can cause serious infections, leading to seizures, brain swelling, meningitis, and even death.

3. Japanese encephalitis

The prominent symptoms of Japanese encephalitis in the acute phase are signs of meningitis, brain and autonomic nervous system disorders.

Japanese encephalitis is a serious brain infection transmitted by mosquitoes. It is common in Asia, the Western Pacific, and Central and South America. Some of the serious symptoms of this disease include high fever, seizures, coma, and severe headaches.

4. Chikungunya viral fever

Chikungunya fever causes severe joint pain that lasts for weeks. Photo: Internet

Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Chikungunya virus. It was first detected in Asia and India, and has since spread to Europe and the Americas. Common symptoms include headache, vomiting, backache, skin rash, and joint pain that last for several weeks. The patient should rest and drink plenty of fluids until the symptoms disappear.

5. Dengue fever

Subcutaneous hemorrhage.

Dengue fever is one of the most dangerous diseases caused by mosquitoes. It mainly occurs in people living in tropical and subtropical climates such as Puerto Rico, the Pacific Islands, Latin America and Southeast Asia. When infected with dengue fever, the patient may have fever, rash, headache, easy bruising and bleeding gums, more severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding under the skin. There is now a vaccine for dengue fever.

6. Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a viral disease that causes yellow skin. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which is found in tropical regions.

Yellow fever is a common disease in Africa and South America. It is a form of hemorrhagic fever with no cure. After a period of severe illness, 15% of patients develop complications with higher fevers, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), and internal bleeding. About half of those who develop complications die. There is a vaccine to prevent the disease, so you should get vaccinated if you plan to travel to Africa or Latin America.

7. Malaria

Anopheles mosquitoes cause malaria.

Malaria is a disease that causes more than 600,000 deaths worldwide each year. It is caused by the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit the Plasmodium parasite to humans. The disease causes high fever, chills, and severe flu-like symptoms, and can be fatal if left untreated. It is preventable through bed nets, insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts, and is treatable, but it still kills many people.

8. Murray Valley encephalitis

Murray Valley encephalitis is a deadly mosquito-borne disease. Although rare, it can occur at any time when it damages brain tissue, with symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck, seizures, and drowsiness. Australia currently has the highest rate of Murray Valley encephalitis in the world.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)