A Treat for the Mosquitoes

Concept: Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes and their Prevention

What is a Vector?

• A living organism that transfers an infectious agent from an infected person to a healthy person is called a vector.

Examples: Vectors are generally insects like mosquitoes, houseflies, ticks etc.
• These vectors carry pathogens that multiply in or on their bodies. These pathogens are then transferred to healthy people when the vectors bite them.

A mosquito as a vector:

The mouthparts of mosquitoes are specialised for piercing and sucking.
Mouthparts in a mosquito comprise—paired maxibles and mandibles, which are shaped like needles.
Male mosquitoes do not spread diseases as they feed on plant juices. Female mosquitoes feed on blood to obtain the protein required to lay eggs.
Female mosquito penetrates the pointed maxilla while biting a host and use their proboscis to suck the blood.
The mouthparts in females are elongated, and the labrum forms the main feeding tube.
They inject an anticoagulant into the blood, which prevents it from coagulating while being sucked up.
They are attracted to the host by their body odour, heat and carbon dioxide.

Mosquito-borne diseases:

The diseases which are spread by the bite of an infected mosquito are called mosquito-borne diseases.
The causal organism of the disease spread by mosquitoes can be a parasite or virus.
Examples: Malaria is spread by a parasite, whereas a virus causes dengue.

• The rate of mosquito-borne diseases has increased due to the following reasons—
1. Urbanisation
2. Travelling to different places
3. Population explosion.

Let us now discuss a few mosquito-borne diseases.

1. Dengue:
Cause:Dengue is caused by the transmission of the Dengue virus.
Carrier: The carrier is a female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Symptoms:
1. Nausea and vomiting accompanied by belly pain.
2. Rashes on the body.
3. Body ache along with severe headache.
4. Diarrhoea, fever and joint pain.


• Treatment:
1. Dengue is treated by drugs like paracetamol that controls fevers and body aches.
2. Increasing the intake of fluids helps in quick recovery.
3. Pregnant women and infants are more prone to dengue and must be under close supervision and treated in isolated healthcare units when required.
• Malaria:
Cause: Malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium.
Carrier: The carrier is a female Anopheles mosquito.
Symptoms
1. Fever with chills.
2. Fatigue, muscle pain and headaches.
3. Breathing troubles and cough.
4. Diarrhoea and vomiting.


• Treatment
1. Since a parasite causes it, the process of treatment includes the drugs which resist the multiplication of malarial parasites.
Examples: Quinine and chloroquine.
• Chikungunya:
• Cause: Chikungunya is caused by the chikungunya virus.
• Carrier: The carrier is Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus.
• Symptoms:
1. Symptoms in chikungunya develop after 5-7 days of infection.
2. Fever and joint pain are the most prominent symptoms.
3. Headache and muscle pain.
4. Swollen joints and rashes.
• Treatment
1. Since it is a viral disease, it cannot be cured with any medicine or drugs.
2. Drugs like acetaminophen or paracetamol are used to treat fever and joint pain.
3. The chances of recurrence of disease in a person who has already suffered from it are less likely.
4. Taking rest would allow the body to recover quickly.
5. Liquid intake should be increased to prevent dehydration.

Prevention of diseases caused by mosquitoes:

• Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Hence, to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, one should not allow water to collect in areas around the house.
• Keep the surroundings clean and dump the garbage in closed pits.
• Use mosquito repellents while going outdoors, especially in the rainy and spring seasons.
• Use nets and bedsheets to cover yourself while sleeping.
• Avoid playing outdoors at dusk and dawn, which is the optimum time for mosquitoes to bite and find hosts.
• The containers used for water storage should be washed and refilled regularly.
• Things like water baths, fountains, pet bowls and swimming pools should be cleaned and disinfected so mosquito larva cannot breed.
• Cover the windows with mesh screens to avoid the entry of mosquitoes into the house.
• Use artificial or natural fumigants like dry neem leaves and cloves to fumigate the house as these do not allow the mosquitoes to grow.

Diagnosis of mosquito-borne diseases:

1. Blood smear test
• A drop of blood is obtained by pricking the finger for performing a blood smear test.
• This blood drop is smeared on a sterile glass slide.
• This smear is observed under a microscope to check whether any parasite is found.
• A blood smear test is done for the diagnosis of malarial parasites.

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Did You Know?

• Tulsi plant is a natural repellent for mosquitoes. It does not allow the larvae to grow and keeps the mosquitoes away.
• Mosquitoes do not like the smell of burnt rosemary and stay away.
• Burning camphor in a closed room is an effective remedy for keeping the mosquitoes away.
• Light coloured clothes keep the mosquitoes away as they are more attracted to dark colours.