8 Mosquitos

Infections

Malaria (Plasmodium spp.)
Dengue
Zika
Chikungunya
Yellow fever
Mayaro
Rift Valley
Lymphatic filariasis
O’nyong’nyong virus
West Nile Fever

Anopheles mosquitoes larva magnified under a microscope

8.1 Biology

8.1.1 Aedes

*Aedes* spp. mosquitoes transmit a wide range of diseases: chikungunya, dengue, and Zika among others. Photo credit: NIAID.

8.1.2 Anopheles

*Anopheles* spp., primarily *A. gambiae* and *A. stephensi*, are the vectors of malaria. Photo credit: Jim Gathany.

8.1.3 Culex

*Culex* spp. mosquitoes transmit a wide range of diseases: West Nile viruse, St. Louis encephalitis, and Rift Valley Fever among others. Photo credit: NIAID.

8.2 Infectious diseases

8.2.1 Malaria

Pathogen: Plasmodium sp. unicellular protozoan, the greatest being attributable to P. falciparum and P. vivex
Vector: female Anopheles sp. mosquitos
Clinical manifestations: There is a varied incubation period from 7-30 days between bite of an infectious mosquito and onset of clinical symptoms. Disease can range from mild (fever, chills, headaches, malaise) to severe (seizures, shock, organ failure, DIC, severe anemia, pulmonary edema/ARDS).
Epidemiology:
Treatment/prevention:

8.2.2 Dengue

Pathogen: Dengue virus
Vector: female Aedes sp. mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti but increased transmission by Aedes albopictus.
Clinical manifestations: Fever, joint pain, rash
Epidemiology:
Treatment/prevention:

8.2.3 Zika

Pathogen: Zika virus
Vector: Aedes sp. mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti
Clinical manifestations: Fever, joint/muscle pain, rash, conjunctivitis, malaise, headache. Infection during pregnancy can lead to congenital malformations in the infant (congenital Zika syndrome)
Epidemiology:
Treatment/prevention:

8.2.4 Chickungunya

Pathogen:
Vector: Aedes sp. mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
Clinical manifestations: fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, rash Epidemiology:
Treatment/prevention: Supportive care for clinical symptoms, one vaccine licensed in US

8.2.5 Mayaro

Pathogen: Mayaro virus Vector: Haemagogus species mosquitoes Clinical manifestations: Most commonly mild illness: fever, headache, muscle ache, chills, rash Epidemiology:
Treatment/prevention: supportive care for clinical symptoms, prevention focused on limiting mosquito bites (no vaccine)