The Killer of 108 Billion Humans – Mosquito-Borne Diseases

• May 07, 2024
• 3 mins, 12 secs read

Did you know that mosquito-borne diseases may be responsible for the deaths of approximately half of all humans who have ever lived? That’s an unbelievable 108 billion people.

This startling statistic, initially proposed by Nobel Prize-winning physician and geneticist Dr. Baruch Blumberg, sheds light on the bone-chilling impact these tiny insects have had on human history. 

Among the roughly 3,000 species of mosquitoes that exist today, around 200 are capable of transmitting diseases, with the most notorious culprits belonging to the Culex, Anopheles, and Aedes species. Using the same needle each time they feed, these mosquitoes act as disease vectors, passing pathogens to humans with every bite.

What makes Culex, Anopheles, and Aedes Mosquito Species so formidable?

Culex mosquitoes, known for transmitting the West Nile Virus, pose a significant threat to human health. They not only bite humans but also transfer diseases from birds. Anopheles mosquitoes, on the other hand, stand out as a more dangerous species, as they are capable of transmitting the malaria parasite. With their widespread distribution, they contribute significantly to the global burden of malaria, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic.

Third, Aedes mosquitoes, which includes the infamous Asian Tiger Mosquito, spread a variety of viruses, including dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, and Mayaro Virus diseases. What makes Aedes mosquitoes particularly formidable is their adaptability—they bite both during the day and at night, making them difficult to evade. Moreover, Aedes Aegypti, a species within this group, has evolved into an intermittent biter, preferring to feed on multiple individuals during a single feeding period, transmitting diseases from person to person in turbo mode. 

A Quick Look at Mosquito-Borne Diseases

• Dengue Fever: A Global Menace
  Annual Deaths: 40,000
  Up to 400 million people are infected by a dengue virus each year. With an estimated 100 million symptomatic cases and approximately 40,000 deaths annually, this disease wreaks havoc on the world. While some vaccines offer protection against dengue fever, a dedicated treatment remains unavailable. 
• The Zika Virus: No Cure in Sight
  Active in 89 countries
  Zika virus poses a significant threat especially to pregnant women and their fetuses such as microcephaly (birth defect of the brain) and other severe birth defects. Despite ongoing research, there is still no vaccine or specific medicine to combat Zika. 
• Mayaro Virus: A Lesser-Known Threat
  Prolonged pain lasting months
  Mayaro virus causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and joint pain. While most cases result in mild illness, some individuals experience prolonged joint pain lasting for months after the initial infection. 
• Chikungunya: Debilitating Joint Pain
  A big impact on quality of life
  Chikungunya virus, characterized by severe joint pain, fever, and rash, poses a significant challenge in diagnosis due to its similarity to dengue and Zika. Although rarely fatal, the debilitating joint pain associated with Chikungunya can persist for months, significantly impacting an individual’s quality of life. 
• Eastern Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis
  Seizures, coma, and death
  These diseases are zoonotic, meaning they are transferred from animals to humans. Severe human cases tend to begin with a sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, vomiting, and extreme lethargy. It may progress into seizures and coma. Death usually occurs 2 to 10 days after the onset of symptoms but can also occur much later.

Prevention Has Always Been the Best Defense

Diagnosing mosquito-borne diseases often requires targeted tests to differentiate between the different viruses. Unfortunately, there are no specific treatments for many of these illnesses, leaving supportive care as the primary approach. Rest, hydration, and pain relief may alleviate symptoms, but severe cases may necessitate hospitalization for intensive care.

In the face of this bleak panorama, prevention remains the key method to combat mosquito-borne diseases. New technologies such as Bzigo Iris can help prevent bites indoors, empowering you to protect yourself and your family from the sinister attacks of these unforgiving creatures.

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