10 Ways Mosquitoes Can Kill You

There’s nothing like the sensation of a mosquito bite. The sudden pain, the itch that follows… It’s enough to drive anyone crazy. But, did you know that these tiny pests can actually be deadly? That’s right! Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other creature on the planet.

They kill over 725,000 people each year. So, next time you’re cursing those pesky mosquitoes, remember that they’re a lot more dangerous than you might think – and here are ten ways mosquitoes can kill you:

Malaria

Who hasn’t spent a sleepless night because of a mosquito? That annoying sound is potentially deadly. In fact, Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases in the world, and according to the World Health Organization, it kills up to 625,000 people every year.

But… what exactly is Malaria? It is one of the oldest diseases of mankind. Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. When the parasite enters the bloodstream, it travels to the liver where it multiplies. After a few weeks, it infects red blood cells, causing them to burst. This release of red blood cells into the bloodstream can cause fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to organ failure and death. 

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. It causes severe flu-like symptoms, including high fever, muscle, and joint pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. 

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In some cases, it leads to death. Actually, dengue is the cause of 36,000 deaths every year. It is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

Additionally, dengue fever can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), a potentially deadly condition that causes bleeding from the nose and gums, as well as easy bruising and internal bleeding… And there is no specific treatment for dengue fever – and only early diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce the risk of serious complications. 

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is no laughing matter. Though it’s named after a color that is typically associated with happiness, this disease is far from cheerful. In fact, Yellow Fever can be downright deadly.

It can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, the virus can lead to organ failure and death. At least 30,000 die every year because of it. Also, the virus leads to symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and in severe cases, yellow fever can cause liver failure, kidney damage, and death.

However, Yellow Fever is preventable and vaccination is the major preventive measure. It is safe, cost-effective, and widely available. It delivers immunity to almost all patients and a single dose is enough to confer sustained immunity.

Zika 

Zika virus causes mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. But, don’t let that fool you… Even if its symptoms don’t look so deadly, Zika is a pretty scary virus. 

It causes 52.6 deaths per 1000 every year. Particularly, pregnant women and newborns are highly vulnerable.  Infection during pregnancy cause severe congenital brain malformations like microcephaly – and the Zika virus during pregnancy is often linked to other complications such as miscarriage and premature birth.

So, while Zika is not as deadly as malaria, it’s still worth taking precautions to avoid exposure to the virus.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito carrying a virus found in poultry and pigs. It is a serious inflammation of the brain and it can lead to permanent brain damage and death – and of course, it can be deadly. It kills 15 000 people annually.

Despite its name, there are hardly any cases of Japanese Encephalitis in Japan nowadays. In any case, its symptoms include severe headaches, high fever, and vomiting… And there is no specific treatment for Japanese Encephalitis, so the best way to prevent the disease is to avoid mosquito bites. 

Mosquitoes that carry the Japanese Encephalitis virus are most active at night. Thus, it is important to wear mosquito repellent and long-sleeved clothing when outdoors during nighttime. 

… And early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of a full recovery. Therefore, if you have been in a place where mosquitoes abound, it is best to go to the doctor quickly to avoid any further complications.

Chikungunya

You might be forgiven for thinking that Chikungunya is some kind of chicken dish – but it’s actually a virus that is spread by mosquitoes.

The good news is that it’s not usually deadly. But, if you don’t have good health it might kill you… And it will surely cause some pretty unpleasant symptoms, including joint pain and fever. For example, in the Americas, it killed around 600 people in the last epidemic. 

There is no cure for Chikungunya, and the best way to avoid it is not to get bitten by mosquitoes. It is vital to eradicate potential breeding grounds for stagnant water, and use insecticides and repellents on the skin regularly. 

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If you do get infected, the best thing to do is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take pain relievers for the joint pain – and if you’re unlucky and catch Chikungunya while you’re pregnant, then there’s a chance it could lead to birth defects. 

West Nile Virus

If you wonder how deadly this virus is, at first, it doesn’t look so deadly. In fact, it has only a 4% fatality rate. However, the virus can also lead to more serious health problems such as meningitis or encephalitis. While these latter conditions are rare, they are indeed potentially fatal.

West Nile Virus causes mild symptoms such as headache and fever. So, most of the people who contract the West Nile Virus will recover without incident.  But, it is critical to be aware of the potential risks associated with the virus since there is no vaccine. The best way to minimize the likelihood of human infection is to raise awareness of the risk factors and take immediate measures to prevent virus infection.

La Crosse Encephalitis

La Crosse encephalitis is a serious condition that might be fatal. Its mortality rate is less than 1% but if the infected person is in poor health or has a pre-existing disease it can be really deadly.

There are only a few hundred cases of La Crosse encephalitis reported each year in the United States. While the majority of people who contract La Crosse encephalitis will recover completely, there is a small risk of death or serious complications.

In most cases, risks can be reduced by prompt treatment and early detection. So, if you live in an area with a functional healthcare system and you are healthy, you shouldn’t worry… If that is not the case, you will probably be dead.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern equine encephalitis is a virus that is spread by mosquitoes. The virus can cause severe brain damage and even death. Though this is a rare infection, it has a mortality rate of 30%. 

It can be life-threatening, and immediate diagnosis and treatment are critical since it is hard to predict how the infection will impact each patient. It is one of the most deadly mosquito-borne diseases in the world. Each year, there are only a handful of reported cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in the United States – but one-third of those who contract the virus die from it.

The evident cases of the virus infection start with the appearance of a sudden headache, high fever, shivering, and vomiting. There is a high probability of surviving, but those who survive are left with brain damage and their life will not be the same after getting eastern equine encephalitis.

St. Louis encephalitis 

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) can be pretty dangerous. Its mortality rate is between 5% to 20% depending on the individual’s age and health status. Clearly, young children and the elderly are at greater risk of dying from this disease.

The symptoms of SLEV are similar to those of other encephalitis viruses: fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and confusion. In severe cases, SLEV can lead to seizures, paralysis, and coma. Although this disease is not particularly deadly in comparison to malaria, it can have dreadful effects on brain function.

So, if you’re feeling under the weather after spending time in an endemic area, be sure to see a doctor – SLEV might not be the common cold after all.

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_{Featured image: Photo by Pixabay}