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Vector-Borne Diseases: What You Need to Know
Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting a variety of diseases, from mild to severe. Here are some common and not-so-common mosquito-borne diseases.
Common Mosquito-Borne Diseases
- Malaria: A potentially fatal disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, which causes fever, chills, and sweating.
- Dengue fever: A virus that can cause mild flu-like symptoms or severe bleeding and shock.
- Zika virus: A virus that can cause fever, rash, and joint pain, and can be particularly harmful to pregnant women.
- West Nile virus: A virus that can cause mild to severe illness, including fever, headache, and muscle weakness.
Less Common Mosquito-Borne Diseases
- Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): A rare but potentially fatal disease that causes inflammation of the brain.
- Yellow fever: A virus that can cause fever, jaundice, and bleeding, and can be fatal in severe cases.
- Chikungunya: A virus that causes fever, joint pain, and rash.
- Mayaro virus: A virus that causes fever, headache, and muscle pain, which is similar to Zika virus.
These are just a few of the many mosquito-borne diseases that exist. If you are bitten by a mosquito, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of these diseases and seek medical attention if necessary.