Mosquito-borne Diseases

Rizna Said, MD

Common mosquito-borne
diseases
Dengue Fever
Malaria

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever - Introduction

Etiological agent
Dengue viruses (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3
and DEN-4) - flaviviruses

Principal vector
Aedes albopictus
Aedes aegypti

Source of photo:
Food and Environmental Department

Dengue Fever Habitual

Behaviour of Aedes Albopictus
Usually breed in stagnant
water
Usually active in dark or
shaded places outdoors,
but indoor activity is also
possible
Distance of flight less
than 100 meter
Most active: 2 hours before
sunset (5-6pm) and morning
(8-9am)
Source of photo:
Food and Environmental Department

Dengue Fever Mode of Transmission

Infected
mosquito

Healthy person

Infected person
Incubation Period: 3 to 14 days
Most commonly 4 to 7 days

Dengue fever is not spread by contact with infected persons

Dengue Fever - Symptoms

Fever: continuous for 3 to 7 days

Severe headache

Joint pain, muscle pain, pain behind eyeballs

Nausea, vomiting, and rash

In very rare cases, the condition may worsen

into dengue haemorrhagic fever, leading to
internal bleeding, shock, or even death.

Dengue Fever - Treatment

At present, no specific drug that
can treat dengue fever
effectively.
Patient should be isolated in a
mosquito-free environment to
prevent the spread of disease

Treatment (1)

Patients infected with classical dengue usually

recovers in 1 to 2 weeks

For serious cases, supportive treatments are

provided by hospitals

If you suspect that you have dengue fever, you

should seek medical treatment promptly

Treatment (2)

For high fever, wipe the body

with warm water and proper
use of anti-fever drugs can
relieve the fever

Dont take aspirin-containing

drugs because they worsen
the haemorrhage

Dengue fever patients immunity

Immunity is gained against that serotype after

recovery from its infection. However, no
effective protection is conferred against
infection by the other three serotypes.

If the patient is infected with the other three

different serotypes, it will increase the risk of
getting haemorrhagic fever.

Malaria

Malaria - Introduction

Etiological agent

A group of malaria parasites

Principle vector

female Anopheline mosquito

Malaria Mode of Transmission

When the mosquito bites a malaria patient, the mosquito becomes infected
and will pass on the disease when it bites another person.

Malaria is not transmitted from person to person.

Malaria can be transmitted through contaminated blood transfusion, organ

transplant, or shared needles or syringes.

It may also be transmitted from a mother to her foetus/newborn baby before

or during delivery.
7-30 days late

Infected mosquito

Infected person

Healthy
person

Malaria Signs and symptoms

Intermittent fever, chills, sweating,

headache, tiredness, poor appetite and
muscle pain.

In typical cases, the fever comes, then

subsides for 1 to 3 days and then
comes again in a cyclical pattern.

Complications include anaemia, liver

and kidney failure, seizures, mental
confusion, coma, and death if the
disease is not treated promptly.

Malaria Treatment

Consult a doctor for early diagnosis

is crucial.

The doctor would prescribe a

course of anti-malarial drugs with
other supportive measures.

The patient should complete the

whole course of medication to
ensure clearance of the malaria
parasites.

Malaria Prevention

Recommendation from WHO

If you travel to areas where malaria is common, you

should start taking the anti-malarial drugs two to
three weeks before the trip, continue for four more
weeks after leaving the malarious area.

Malaria Vaccination

There are no
vaccines against
malaria.

Prevention of
mosquito-borne diseases
Personal Protection

The best protection is to avoid being bitten

by mosquitoes by paying attention to the
following:

Avoid staying in dark, outdoor places such as

brushwood, pavilions, or the shade of a tree
during the hours when Aedes albopictus is
active.

Personal Protection
Avoid going out in the
hours when Aedes
albopicuts feed or wear
light-coloured, longsleeves clothing and
trousers.

Personal Protection

Install mosquito nets to

doors and windows so
that mosquitoes cant
get in.

Personal Protection
Accommodation should have
air-conditioners or mosquito
nets
Hang mosquito screens
around your bed
Use of mosquito coil
Choosing the insect repellents

Safety tips on using

repellents that contain DEET

DEET is not recommended for use on infants less than 2 months of

age. They should use mosquito net for health protection (e.g. infant
carrier draped with elastic edge mosquito net).

Never use repellents over wounds or irritated skin.

Apply the repellent on exposed skin surfaces only or on top of

clothing. Do not use under clothing.

Do not attach the anti-mosquito patches directly on the skin if it is

specifically for clothing.

Wash repellent-treated skin with soap and water when you come
indoors.

When using sprays, do not spray directly on face spray on hands

first and then apply to face. Do not apply to eyes or mouth.

The most effective way to eliminate

mosquitoes is to
Keep the environment clean.
Remove stagnant water so that
mosquitoes cant breed.

Elimination of Mosquitoes

Cover water containers

tightly so that
mosquitoes cant get in
to lay eggs.

Elimination of Mosquitoes

Dispose of domestic
wastes, empty bottles,
cans and lunch boxes
properly into a covered
bin to prevent the
accumulation of
stagnant water.

Elimination of Mosquitoes

Change water for vases

and aquatic plants at
least once a week,
leaving no water under
the pots or in the
bottom saucers.

Scrub the container

surfaces thoroughly to
prevent mosquito eggs
sticking on them.

Elimination of Mosquitoes

Keep ditches free from blockage.

Seek medical consultation

immediately

Having been bitten by a

mosquito and displaying
symptoms afterwards

Falling ill, especially having

a fever within one month
after you have returned
from abroad

Elimination of mosquito is the most

effective prevention strategy

Lets remove stagnant water

and eliminate mosquitoes


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