Mosquito-borne diseases
Most people have been bitten by a mosquito at some time in their lives.
Usually this causes no more than an extremely itchy swelling which produces considerable discomfort for a day or 2.
But mosquitoes can be the source of a number of serious illnesses. Some of the diseases spread through mosquito bites cannot be treated, and may produce long-term problems or even death.
Malaria
Malaria is the most well known mosquito-caused illness. Fortunately, it is spread only by a particular type of mosquito (the Anopheles mosquito) which is found only in certain parts of the world. People living in, or visiting, those places can reduce the risk of malaria by taking tablets on a regular basis, and employing measures to avoid being bitten.
Other diseases spread by mosquitoes
Other, less well known, diseases spread by mosquitoes include:
- Ross River virus;
- Barmah Forest virus;
- Murray Valley encephalitis;
- Dengue fever; and
- Japanese encephalitis.
Many of these can be caught here in Australia. The only protection is to avoid mosquito bites. This means trying to stay indoors at dusk (when mosquitoes do their biting), wearing long sleeved shirts and long trousers at this time of the day, using effective insect repellants, avoiding perfumed toiletries and wearing light coloured clothing.
Mosquitoes breed in water. Make sure that you don't have containers that might collect water lying around the place.
Last Reviewed: 13 October 2004
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