Mosquito Diseases in Philippines

Mosquito Diseases in the Philippines

Mosquitoes are not only annoying because of their buzz and bites because they are even the culprits behind the spread of numerous diseases.

Here are the most common mosquito diseases in the Philippines that you should avoid at all costs:

Dengue Fever

Dengue virus can be found in most parts of Southeast Asia including the Philippines. If you get bitten and infected by a mosquito carrying the dengue virus, symptoms include joint and muscle pains, fever, and headaches. People who previously survived a dengue infection in the past are not safe. In fact, a second infection tends to be worse compared to the initial infection.

Approximately 96 million people all over the world suffer from dengue fever on a yearly basis. This is the disease that mosquitoes mostly frequently transmit. A vaccine is now available although some restrictions are set because there is the risk of triggering deadly reactions in a person’s body.

Malaria

Malaria is the most popular tropical disease. The parasite called Plasmodium is a unicellular organism that gets transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. Around 40% of the population all over the world lives in places with heightened risks of malaria. This disease can progress in episodes of fever. There is a combination of several symptoms such as pains in the limbs and headaches, chills and sweating, and even diarrhea.

Throughout the course of this disease, there is the possibility of severe damage occurring in the patient’s nervous system. Every year, around half a million fatalities are recorded because of malaria, the majority of whom are children. The mosquito that transmits the disease loves warm areas and heat is required for it to transmit malaria. Female Anopheles mosquitoes are the only active ones and these are quite dangerous bloodsuckers.

Zika Infection

Zika virus is transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito. Aside from the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand, Zika infection also occurs in tropical regions of Central and South America, Africa, and even Texas and Florida.

In adults, 1 out of 5 infected persons will develop symptoms including conjunctivitis, a rash, fever, and joint pain. Adults are not at risk of long term consequences and the symptoms will disappear after some time.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya virus is one of the widespread diseases in Southeast Asia, on the Indian Ocean islands, the subcontinent of India and in eastern and southern Africa. Similar to other diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes, this virus causes fever. It often lasts for around 3 days. This is then followed by the period of severe pain in the joints that can last for 1 to 2 weeks before this subsides again.

There are also infected patients who develop punctiform and itchy skin hemorrhages and mucosal ones such as those from the nose. Chikungunya virus doesn’t cause permanent damage. After the patient overcomes the disease, he or she will become immune for life. Mosquito diseases in the Philippines can now be avoided with the use of products such as insect screens.

Contact us at Insect Screen Specialist and we will be more than happy to give you an overview of our products!