Mosquito-Borne Diseases: Symptoms & Prevention by Rentokil PCI

That buzzing sound near your ear at night? It’s not just annoying—it could be a warning. Mosquitoes may look harmless, but they are one of the deadliest insects in the world. This is because they can spread serious diseases to people with just one bite.

As travel and weather patterns change, these diseases are now found in more places than before. Knowing about them is the first step to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

Common Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes

Only female mosquitoes bite. They need blood to help their eggs grow. If a mosquito bites someone who is already sick with a virus or parasite, it can pick up the germs. Later, when it bites someone else, it can pass those germs on through its saliva.

Malaria

• Caused by: Parasites called Plasmodium

• Spread by: Anopheles mosquitoes

• Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, tiredness, vomiting

• Why it's serious: Can lead to coma, organ failure, or death if not treated

• Where it's found: Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Dengue

• Caused by: Dengue virus

• Spread by: Aedes mosquitoes (active during the day)

• Symptoms: High fever, pain behind the eyes, body aches, rash, mild bleeding

• Why it's serious: Can become severe and life-threatening in some cases

• Where it's found: Tropical cities and towns

Zika

• Caused by: Zika virus

• Spread by: Aedes mosquitoes

• Symptoms: Mild fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes

• Why it's serious: Can cause birth defects in babies if the mother is infected

• Where it's found: Africa, Asia, Americas, and Pacific islands

Chikungunya

• Caused by: Chikungunya virus

• Spread by: Aedes mosquitoes

• Symptoms: Sudden fever, severe joint pain, tiredness, rash

• Why it's serious: Joint pain can last a long time, especially in older people

• Where it's found: Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas

West Nile Virus

• Caused by: West Nile virus

• Spread by: Culex mosquitoes (they feed on birds and then bite humans)

• Symptoms: Most people don’t feel sick; some get fever, rash, or body aches

• Why it's serious: In rare cases, it can cause brain swelling or meningitis

• Where it's found: Africa, Europe, North America, and West Asia

Yellow Fever

• Caused by: Yellow fever virus

• Spread by: Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes

• Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, yellow skin

• Why it's serious: Can be deadly in the second stage, but preventable with a vaccine

• Where it's found: Africa and South America

How to Stay Safe from Mosquitoes

Protect Yourself

• Use mosquito repellents on skin and clothes

• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially in mosquito-prone areas

• Use mosquito nets at night

Keep Mosquitoes Away

• Remove standing water around your home (buckets, tyres, flower pots)

• Clean and cover containers that hold water

• Trim plants and clean your surroundings regularly

Know When They Bite

• Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day

• Anopheles and Culex bite mostly at dawn and dusk

Call the Experts

If there are too many mosquitoes around your home or office, it’s best to get professional help. Pest control experts can treat the area and help stop mosquito breeding.