Must Read: 13 deadly diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, you will be surprised

– Mosquitoes are small but very deadly

– Medical scientists want people to avoid their bites

– 1.5 million people die globally from diseases caused by mosquitoes

The mention of mosquitoes simply evokes a mind picture of malaria, a fever that is most common in Nigeria and other developing countries. But beyond this picture, many diseases, some deadly, others minor, are transmitted by the small, midge-like insect which most people are ignorant of.

The US Centre for disease control is reported to have reported that every year more than 1.5 million people around the world die from diseases spread by mosquitoes.

Here are some of such deadly diseases:

1. Elephantiasis

This disease is caused by mosquitoes infected by the parasitic worm, Wuchereria bancrofti, which carries filariasis, a tropical infection.

Doctors say this worm blocks the lymphatic system causing swelling in any part of the body including the legs, hands. Scrotum or the labia of the vagina.

The affected part of the body swells and appears large and puffy. The disease is believed to be common in South America, Cuba, Puerto Rico, West Indies, Africa, Spain, Turkey, Asia, Australia, and many South Pacific Islands.

There is no effective treatment for the disease which could take a long time to manifest after infection. Medical analysis show that an estimated 100 million people are affected worldwide. The only solution is to avoid mosquitoes.

2. Dengue Fever

This is described as one of the most dangerous and diseases that is caused by mosquitoes and is reportedly common among the people living in tropical and sub-tropical climates.  The diseases is transmitted by the aedes mosquito. Medical scientists say after infection, the diseases causes high fever, headache, joint pain and rashes as the initial symptoms. Many liken this to malaria, but it is not. Though there are recommendations, it is believed that there is no certain medications and treatments available to treat the disease.

3. Yellow Fever

This is very common in Africa and South America and reportedly caused by aedes mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. It takes an infected person about seven days for the virus to start manifesting through severe headache, nausea and severe fever. Apart from vaccination, no treatment method or cure has been effectively invented for this ailment.

4. Chikungunya

This deadly disease is caused by the aedes mosquitoes with joint pain, headache, vomiting, back pain and skin rashes as the most common symptoms. The disease, according to medical reports, is manageable with drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen and paracetamol, but they must be used with prescription.

5. Western equine encephalitis

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Western equine encephalitis (WEE) was discovered in 1930 in Canada and Mexico, according to medical researchers. They also say it is caused by culex mosquitoes with more than one thousand reported deaths yearly. Though the disease is common in human beings and horses, vaccines have been invented to treat it.

6. La crosse encephalitis

This viral disease is transmitted by the Tree Hole mosquito and more serious in children.

7. Japanese encephalitis

This deadly disease affects the brain and is said to be common in Asia, New Guinea and North Queensland with symptoms of high temperature, convulsion, coma and severe headache. It can be cured with the use of vaccines.

8. West Nile virus

Caused by culex mosquitoes, the disease is mostly found in animals and birds, but could also be found in human cells spreading through saliva and breast-feeding from mother to the children. It can damage the brain tissues and sometimes lead to convulsions, coma and even death.

9. Rift valley fever

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It is very common in the individuals who live with animals like cattle, buffaloes, sheep, cow and goats. There have been outbreaks in West Africa, Saudi Arab and parts of Asia.

10. Malaria

This is caused by the female anopheles mosquitoes the disease can migrates to the liver and prevent it from functioning well. Its symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, headaches and severe-flu.

11. Dog Heartworm

This is believed to be a very dangerous disease caused by roundworms and mosquitoes. Medical researchers explain that the bite of the mosquitoes containing the larvae of this roundworm is the actual reason for the spread of the disease. The disease is one reason to avoid keeping pets like dogs, cats and parrots at home because such mosquitoes depend on animals for food.

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12. Murray valley encephalitis

This deadly disease caused by mosquito and causes brain tissue damage. Statistics show that Australia has the highest rate of murray valley encephalitis victims. Symptoms of this disease are hidden but come as headache, neck stiffness, seizure and drowsiness. Patients should rush to the hospital when these signs show.

13. Zika virus disease

This disease is spread primarily through the bite of an infected aedes species mosquito and through sex with an infected person. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). According to analysts, the illness is usually mild and the symptoms last for up to a week after infection. Because people rarely die from the disease, they rarely go to the hospital and are most times ignorant of it.

The disease, first discovered in Uganda in 1947, causes children to be born with defects called microcephaly, as well as serious fetal brain defects. The disease is currently ravaging Brazil.

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