Should we know exactly about Mosquito-Borne Diseases?

In Sri Lanka, mosquitoes are no strangers. Every day, in the evening and at night, there are times when we have to wage a little war with the sound of mosquitoes. But these little creatures are not as innocent as we think. Some mosquitoes act as carriers of diseases. That is why it is very important for us to be fully aware of these mosquito-borne diseases . Let us talk about this today in a simple way, in a way that you can understand.

What are these mosquito-borne diseases?

Simply put, mosquito-borne diseases are diseases that occur when an infected mosquito bites a human and the germs (병균) from that mosquito's body enter the human body . There can be several types of these germs. Some are viruses , while others are parasites .

Now look, there are several types of diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes all over the world. Here are some of them:

• Chikungunya
• Dengue fever
• Japanese encephalitis (also called brain fever)
• Malaria
• Zika virus
• Yellow fever
• In addition, there are diseases like `(Eastern and Western equine encephalitis)`, `(La Crosse encephalitis)`, `(St. Louis encephalitis)`, `(West Nile virus)`. But these are not very common in our country.

The important thing is that not all mosquitoes spread all diseases . There are specific types of mosquitoes for each disease. For example, dengue is spread by the Aedes mosquito. Malaria is spread by the Anopheles mosquito. Also, the prevalence of these diseases varies depending on where we live, where we travel, and the time of year.

Just think, during the rainy season, there are more places where water accumulates, so there are more mosquitoes, right? That's how it is.

So what are the symptoms of these diseases?

This often varies depending on the disease being transmitted . But there is good news. That is, many people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms, or will only show very mild symptoms . It's like just catching a cold and getting better.

However, some people may experience symptoms. They usually include:

• Having a fever
• Headache
• Neck pain
• Muscle pain (feeling like your muscles are drying up)
• Joint pain (joint pain)
• Sometimes a skin rash may occur.
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (stomach ache)

These are the most common symptoms. However, very rarely, some mosquito-borne diseases can cause serious conditions . An example is a condition called encephalitis . This is a bit dangerous because it affects the brain. That's why you should seek medical advice immediately if you experience symptoms that are different from those that are usually accompanied by a fever.

Shall we recall a small incident?

Imagine, your friend Nimal has had a high fever for a few days. He says his body aches. He's been staying at home and taking paracetamol. After two or three days, along with the fever, small red spots have appeared on his body. Now Nimal is feeling a little scared. This is when we need to see a doctor. Because we need to know for sure whether it's a simple fever or something like dengue.

How are these diseases treated?

For many mosquito-borne diseases, there is no specific treatment . That is, there is often no specific medicine to kill the virus (except for some viral diseases). So what do doctors do?

All they do is treat the symptoms .

• They say to take good rest .
• It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (water, soup, porridge, etc.) because when you have a fever, your body loses a lot of water, which can lead to dehydration.
• Medicines are given to reduce fever and relieve body pain (e.g. paracetamol).
• Also, be careful about the patient's condition, to see if any complications arise.

However, there are specific treatments for diseases like malaria . There are also prevention medicines to protect against malaria, especially if you are traveling to an area where malaria is a risk.

Remember, if you get a fever or other symptoms from a mosquito bite, it is wise to see a doctor for advice rather than taking self-medication.

Most importantly: How are we protected from these mosquito-borne diseases?

This is the best and most important thing we can do . It's better to prevent the disease than to treat it, right? The best protection is to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito. To do this, we need to follow these steps:

• Install screens on windows and doors. Also, repair any broken or torn screens as soon as possible. Keep doors and windows without screens closed, especially during peak mosquito season.
• When going outside, wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. Use long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks. It is a good idea to use a mosquito net when sleeping at night, especially if you have small children.
• Use insect repellent correctly. Choose a product that contains either DEET or Picaridin. For children over 3 years old, you can also use a repellent containing oil of lemon eucalyptus. But follow the instructions on the label carefully. Do not apply to young children's hands, mouth, or eyes.
• Minimize your time outdoors in the early morning (when the sun is just about to rise) and late evening (when the sun is just about to set), as this is when most mosquitoes are most active.
• Eliminate places where mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. This is the main way to control diseases like dengue in our country. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Therefore,
• Immediately remove any buckets, cans, or old tires that may have accumulated water, or empty them and store them away.
• Bird water bowls, dog water bowls, and the water retention trays at the bottom of flower pots should be emptied, washed, and cleaned thoroughly at least once a week.
• Water can accumulate in places we don't even think about in our homes. For example, be careful of things like the defrost tray behind the refrigerator, coconut shells, blocked gutters, plastic leaves, and old toys.

Remember, keeping your home and surroundings clean is not only your responsibility, but also a contribution to the entire community. If everyone cleans their own backyard, they will contribute greatly to reducing the mosquito population.

• There are vaccines available to prevent some mosquito-borne diseases. For example, there are vaccines for dengue fever, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis. If you live in an area where these diseases are common, or are traveling to one, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about this.

Finally, remember this (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we've talked a lot about mosquito-borne diseases today, haven't we? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Awareness is the first line of defense. It's important to know that mosquitoes can transmit diseases and how they do it.
• Prevention is the best way to prevent mosquito bites. It is especially important to clean up mosquito breeding areas.
• If you or someone in your family develops symptoms such as fever and body aches, seek medical advice without delay.
• Keeping your surroundings clean is not only your responsibility , but also a service to society as a whole.

If we take care of these things, we can stay largely safe from these annoying diseases spread by mosquitoes. I wish you all good health!

` Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, Mosquito Bite, Disease Prevention, Mosquito-Borne Diseases