6 Types of Mosquitoes that Cause Diseases, Know for Prevention

Kapanlagi.com - Mosquitoes are one of the insects that people avoid because they can transmit diseases. Despite having a small body, mosquito bites should not be taken lightly. In addition, various types of viruses and parasite causing diseases can also enter the human body through their bites. Generally, mosquitoes suck blood and leave itchy bite marks that make you unable to stop scratching. However, this falls into the category of mosquitoes that have mild effects. In severe cases, there are several types of mosquitoes that can cause death, such as malaria and dengue fever.

Even though you have tried to live a healthy lifestyle to avoid mosquitoes, these annoying insects can still survive anywhere except in Antarctica. Not only one or two types of mosquitoes, it turns out that mosquitoes have thousands of species that are spread out and each of them has their own characteristics. Therefore, it is important for you to know what types of mosquitoes are the most dangerous because they carry diseases. Summarizing from several sources, here are a series of mosquito species that carry diseases that you need to know.

1. Species of Mosquito Aedes aegypti

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The type of mosquito that can carry dangerous diseases is Aedes aegypti.  Transmittable diseases caused by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which carries the dengue virus, should not be underestimated. When dealing with patients affected by dengue fever, delaying treatment can cost lives. This type of mosquito usually seeks food during the evening or night when there is less light.

As a first step in preventing the development of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes and the dengue virus, you can implement the 3M approach (closing, draining, and burying). It is important to tightly close water storage areas, regularly drain water containers, and bury items or waste that can cause water to accumulate. In addition, maintaining a clean and tidy living environment is essential.

2. Species of Mosquito Anopheles

Next, the type of mosquito that causes diseases is Anopheles. This mosquito is also commonly known as the marsh mosquito. In fact, this mosquito has hundreds of different species. This type of mosquito can only lay eggs in clean water such as marshes, rice fields, ponds, and bathrooms. The characteristic of this mosquito is having a pale body and dark-colored wings. This mosquito also tends to attack at night.

This Anopheles mosquito is known as a mosquito that can transmit malaria. In Indonesia itself, malaria is one of the deadly diseases and affects many people every year. Looking at its spread, malaria is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes and a single bite can potentially transmit it.

3. Types of Culex Mosquitoes

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Culex mosquitoes are one of the mosquitoes that you often encounter. Yes, these mosquitoes are more commonly known as house mosquitoes. Culex mosquitoes can also breed in dirty water such as drains, puddles, and septic tanks. Usually, you will encounter this type of mosquito at night, where they often bite humans from around 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Female Culex mosquitoes need blood to produce eggs every three days throughout their lifespan. When biting humans, this type of mosquito can cause West Nile virus infection, which commonly causes symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.

4. Mansonia Uniforms

The Mansonia mosquito species is often found in water plants. These mosquitoes usually live in rural areas and agricultural areas (because they have the most water plants). The main characteristics of Mansonia are their large body, black or brown color, and a shimmer on their wings. In addition, Mansonia mosquito larvae will take oxygen from the surrounding water plants. Therefore, you should also be aware of this type of mosquito. The way to prevent the growth of the Mansonia population is by eradicating wild plants in the water.

5. Psorophora Mosquito Species

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The Psorophora mosquito species is a mosquito that causes diseases that you need to know. The size of this mosquito is not the same as the usual mosquito, it is 6 times larger. Some even believe that the bite of this mosquito is as painful as being stabbed with a knife.

Not only biting humans, but this mosquito species also becomes a very disturbing pest. Usually, Psorophora mosquitoes will appear at night. Psorophora is the main cause of arbovirus transmission, which has symptoms like flu and can cause various complications.

6. Aedes Albopictus Mosquito Species

As the name suggests, the Aedes Albopictus mosquito species belongs to the same genus as the Dengue Fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti). This mosquito is also often referred to as the forest mosquito or tiger mosquito. Its body color is distinctive, black and white stripes. Diseases caused by the Aedes albopictus mosquito include yellow fever, Dengue Fever, chikungunya, and Zika.

Those are a series of mosquito species that carry diseases. Generally, the most severe cases are caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Hope it's useful.

(kpl/dtm)