Mosquito bites

A mosquito bite is not usually painful, but the itchiness that follows a bite can cause some discomfort. However, mosquitoes transmit harmful diseases like dengue and malaria when they bite. The number of dengue and malaria cases and fatalities reported in Pakistan over the years underlines the importance of mosquito control.

Find out the answers to these questions and more below:

• Why do mosquitoes bite?
• What do mosquitoes look like?
• Why do mosquito bites itch?
• How can i treat mosquito bites?
• How can i prevent mosquito bites?

What is dengue fever and how is it transmitted?

Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It can progress to more a deadly form of the disease known as dengue haemorrhagic fever and cause death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 50-100 million people are infected by dengue fever every year globally and around three out of every 100 dengue infections are fatal.

Symptoms of dengue infection

The following are common symptoms of Dengue fever:

• Sudden onset of continuous high fever
• Red rashes on skin
• Acute pain at the bones, muscles, joints, eye-balls and head
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting & headache
• Bleeding from nose, gums and skin

Dengue treatment

Vaccine tests are still carried out and there is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives of patients with the more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever. See a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment if you experience symptoms of dengue fever.

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by several species of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease affects about 200 million people and kills 400,000 each year, even though we have the means to prevent it. Global action, especially since 2000, has reduced the incidence but much still needs to be done to overcome existing and emerging challenges. Emerging threats include increasing resistance to the insecticides used and to antimalarial medicines. Concerted action will be needed by the global community over many years to eradicate malaria completely.

Malaria facts

• How many people are at risk of malaria?

  The total number of malaria cases worldwide fluctuates year to year, but in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases worldwide.

• Who is at risk?

  Around 233 million cases were found in Africa. The Eastern Mediterranean had the second highest number of malaria cases with 8.3 million, followed by South-East Asia with 5.2 million. Considering the region of Asia-Pacific, the country with the highest incidence rate of malaria in 2021 was Myanmar, followed by Afghanistan and India.

• How can malaria be stopped?

  The main strategies are:
  • Vector control to prevent the mosquito from acquiring the parasite and passing on the infection — mainly insecticide impregnated bed nets
  • Chemoprevention using antimalarial drugs to stop the parasite from establishing in human beings
  • Case management to detect, diagnose and cure infections

• Is there a vaccine?

  A vaccine called RTS,S/AS01 has been through clinical trials and is due to go into a pilot vaccination programme in 2018. This is only effective against the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.

• What is being done to combat malaria?

  The UN set a Millennium Development Goal in 2000 to halt and reverse malaria incidence by 2015. Global action coordinated by WHO achieved the aim and death rates were significantly reduced. There is now a new WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030 that aims to reduce incidence by a further 90%.

• How much money is needed to implement the global malaria strategy?

  WHO estimates that an annual investment of US$6.4 billion will be needed by 2020, more than twice the recent funding.

How to avoid mosquito bites

Are you sick and tired of being bothered by annoying mosquitoes when you are enjoying your outdoor activities? Here are some simple steps that can help to reduce your chances of being bitten.

• Avoid dark colours - Do not wear dark colours or use strong scents such as perfumes and deodorants as these attract insects.
• Reduce exposed skin - Wear long sleeves, trousers, footwear and hats.
• Avoid areas with water - Keep clear of slow moving or still / stagnant water.
• Tuck trousers into socks - When hiking through brush or rough grass and avoid brushing through long grass or bushes.

Need professional treatment for mosquitoes?

Call the experts at C-Shine Pakistan to find out more about our solutions at +92-304-1112006.