Other Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is a viral disease caused by the same species as Dengue fever. It causes a wide variety of symptoms from mild to death. The "yellow" is explained by the jaundice that effects some.

There has been an effective vaccine available for 60 years, but the number of people infected with Yellow fever has increased in the last two decades and it is again a serious public health issue in Africa and South America.


Symptoms of Yellow fever range from fever, muscle pain, backache, headache, shivers, nausea and vomiting. After three days these symptoms clear up in some, and they are done with it. About 15% of those infected enter the toxic phase of the disease. Jaundice appears, bleeding occurs from the mouth, nose and eyes. Kidney functions deteriorate, and about half or 7.5% will die in 10-14 days.
Humans and monkeys are the principal animals to be infected. The virus is carried from one animal to another by the mosquito. The mosquito can also pass the virus to its young when eggs are laid insuring transmission from one year to the next.

The vaccine is 95% effective, but to immunize an entire population, especially in third world countries, is a major chore. Recently there have been a minimal amount of side effects from the vaccine which in rare instances have caused death. Nonetheless, many countries require immunization prior to visiting their countries.
Encephalitis

Encephalitis is caused by a variety of viruses called arboviruses which are carried by and transmitted by mosquitoes. It is a serious virus which causes swelling of brain tissues and can lead to disability and or death in humans. West Nile virus is a type of encephalitis as is St. Louis, Eastern, Western, and California encephalitis.

Wild birds are the principal carriers of encephalitis which explains the rapid spread of the West Nile strain. St Louis encephalitis is deadly to horses as is Western encephalitis and West Nile. Occasional outbreaks of St. Louis are found from the mid-west east, and Eastern encephalitis was recently a threat in New England just prior to the introduction of West Nile. The Asian Tiger mosquito is a potential carrier along with Aedes albopictus both common mosquitoes.

Dog Heartworm Disease

Dog heartworm is a disease which can be fatal in all dogs, and caused by a small roundworm transmitted by mosquitoes. Once inside a dogs body the worm grows and can lodge in the heart or close blood vessels. The disease is most prominent in southern states, and all dogs and cats should be treated monthly with heartworm tablets monthly during the mosquito season. There are 72 species of mosquitoes that carry the roundworm, the two most important being Aedes sierrensis and Aedes atlanticus. For information on West Nile Virus, click here. For Mosquito Products, here.