Diseases
Mosquito borne diseases including malaria, viral encephalitis, West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever are transmitted to humans via the bites of disease carrying mosquitoes.
Diseases from mosquito bites can be serious, even fatal. Protect yourself against mosquito and other insect bites by using an effective insect repellent, fitting insect screens to windows and doors and sleeping under a mosquito net.
Mosquito Borne Disease Facts
- Malaria is transmitted by an infected Anopheles mosquito
- Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills and fatigue
- Serious cases of Japanese encephalitis may cause death
- Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, but about 1 in 150 become very ill
- There are two forms of yellow fever: jungle yellow fever and urban yellow fever
- Dengue fever is transmitted between people by an infected Aedes mosquito
- The best way to avoid mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid bites from disease carrying mosquitoes
More Information About Diseases from Mosquito Bites
Mosquito Borne Diseases - Infected mosquitoes transmit diseases including malaria, viral encephalitis, West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever to humans. Mosquito-borne infections can cause serious illness and death.
What is Malaria? - Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted to humans by infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria has flu-like symptoms and can be prevented and treated.
Where Can You Get Malaria? - Malaria occurs in over 100 countries, particularly in Africa. Find out where you can get malaria before you travel.
Malaria High Risk Areas - Malaria high risk areas include parts of Africa, South America, Asia, Middle East, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Low Risk Malaria Areas - There are low risk malaria areas in Africa, Central and East Asia, Central and South America, Europe, Mexico and the Middle East.
Symptoms of Malaria - Symptoms of malaria include flu-like fever, shaking chills and sweating. Infection with Plasmodium falciparum is serious and life-threatening, requiring urgent medical treatment.
Malaria Treatment - Malaria is easily treatable with tablets and a full recovery is likely. Severe infection may require hospitalisation.
Malaria Prevention - Prevent malaria by protecting against mosquito bites. Sleep under a mosquito net, use insect repellent and take anti-malaria tablets.
Anti-malaria Tablets - It is advisable to take anti-malaria tablets such as chloroquine or proguanil, when visiting a country where there is a risk of malaria infection.
Cheryl Cole Malaria - Cheryl Cole contracted malaria while on holiday in July 2010, with Derek Hough in Tanzania, Africa. She was interviewed on Piers Morgan's Life Stories.
Travel Health Insurance - When travelling abroad, it is important to have a travel insurance policy that covers health care in the event of accident or illness.
