The kinds of diseases you can get from mosquitoes can range from mild ailments to serious illnesses. Mosquitoes are known for the diseases they’ve spread worldwide. Each year, there are more than 700,000 deaths from vector-borne diseases.
These diseases have disproportionately affected populations in tropical and subtropical regions, but are a global threat. The most common mosquito-borne diseases include: Malaria, Dengue, Yellow fever, Zika, and West Nile virus.
What Disease Do Mosquitoes Carry in Mid-South TN?
In Mid-South TN, mosquitoes are carriers of multiple diseases – but most predominantly, West Nile Virus. The most recent case of West Nile around Mid-South TN was reported in May 2024. Worst case scenario, this disease can cause neurological damage to those who catch it. Symptoms of West Nile Virus include:
- Fever
- Headache or body aches
- Skin rash on the trunk of the body
- Swollen lymph glands
- Neck stiffness
- Disorientation
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis
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Symptoms of Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Most mosquito bites from nuisance species will result in mild symptoms. Common symptoms of vector-borne diseases include:
- Sudden high fever
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle tremors or seizures
- Severe headaches
- Rash
Noticing any of these symptoms from a suspected mosquito bite warrants an immediate trip to your local hospital.
Which Mosquitoes Can Transmit Disease?
The three genuses of mosquitoes responsible for spreading diseases are: Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles. Several species exist within these families including the Tiger mosquito, Nail mosquito, and Marsh mosquito.
Why Are Mosquitos the World’s Most Dangerous Animal?
Mosquitoes are considered the deadliest animal in the world, not because of their size or ferocity, but because of their ability to carry and spread diseases to humans.
Every year, mosquitoes are responsible for over one million deaths worldwide. They transmit a variety of life-threatening diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever, making them major threats in many parts of the world, not just in tropical regions but also in temperate areas like Tennessee.
Can Mosquitoes Transmit HIV or AIDS?
No. Thankfully, mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV or AIDS. This is due to both the biology of the mosquito and of HIV itself. Mosquitoes are unable to become infected with HIV, and thus cannot transmit it.
Because only saliva is injected into the host, HIV cannot be transmitted through the bite. Even if a mosquito has HIV in its body when it bites a host, there would not be enough to infect. The virus disappears in the mosquito after just one or two days.
Do Mosquitoes Transfer Blood?
Mosquitoes do not transfer blood – and they don’t inject or circulate it back into you either. This is due to their unique proboscis. Made up of two tubes, one tube sends saliva into the host while the other sucks up blood.
This two-tube system is why mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV, which is transmitted through infected blood. Any HIV-positive blood ingested by a mosquito is thus impossible to transmit to another host.
How Long Does HIV Live in a Mosquito?
The virus will disappear in just 1-2 days when a mosquito bites an HIV-positive individual. This is because HIV is unable to replicate within the mosquito’s gut, unlike humans in which HIV binds to T cells. It is during the mosquito’s digestion process that any HIV ingested is completely destroyed.
Have Mosquitoes Ever Transmitted HIV?
Bottom line: you do not need to worry about mosquitoes transmitting HIV. Research has proven that an individual would have to be bitten by 10 million mosquitoes that all had been feeding on an HIV carrier for even a single unit of HIV to be transmitted. When it comes to mosquitoes and diseases, it’s important to focus on the vector-borne diseases they carry and spread.
Reduce Risk of Mosquito Diseases with Expert Pest Control
Protecting your family from the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases starts with effective mosquito control. Inman-Murphy, Inc.’s pest control services offer comprehensive solutions to reduce mosquito populations around your home. Regular treatments can help safeguard your outdoor spaces, making them safer for leisure and play without the constant worry of mosquito bites.
Contact us today for a free quote and take the first step in making your home safer and more enjoyable!
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