Yellow Fever Mosquito

Yellow Fever Mosquito: One Bite, Four Deadly Diseases
Making Way Your Home this Monsoon

By: Ahmad Mujtaba

Celebrity status is not generally something bestowed upon any insect. Though, still one mosquito, Yellow Fever Mosquito has been a part of Dengue fever & Zika virus headlines last year. It’s not just a mosquito – it’s a biological syringe that injects you with deadly virus only by its single bite. And the worst part! It is most active at day time, when you are awake maybe sitting in your garden or enjoying sip of tea but unaware of this hostile enemy.

● Tiny wings. Silent approach. Fatal bite. This Yellow Fever Mosquito rewriting the rules of survival – weakening your immune system.
● Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito, is a major vector of viruses that are harmful for human health.
● Major four diseases promoted by Aedes aegypti include, Dengue fever, Zika virus, Chikungunya and Yellow fever.
● Yellow fever mosquito is commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas of world.

Statistics Don’t Lie!

Following are the number of cases reported and the deaths in Pakistan caused by the multiple diseases from Yellow fever mosquito.

Dengue:

● In 2024: 20,057 confirmed cases from January 1 to November 15, 2024, with 10 reported deaths
● In 2022: 62,995 confirmed dengue cases with 62 deaths.
● In 2021: 47,439 confirmed cases and 236 deaths.
● 2019 outbreak: 52,485 cases and 91 deaths (including 67 deaths reported by November 2019.

Chikungunya:

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control estimates 320 000 CHIKV cases and over 120 deaths due to Chikungunya between June 2023 and June 2024 globally and in Pakistan from 2016 to 2018: 776 confirmed cases, though death data is limited.

Pakistan sees tens of thousands of dengue cases each year during monsoon/post-monsoon which is very concerning for human health. Timely safety measures are essential hence to be taken in order to be on the safe zone.

How do Aedes aegypti look-like…?

The Yellow fever mosquitos are considered as the small – medium sized mosquitoes actually. Usually, their females are larger than the males and the abdomen is dark brown or black in color. Their thorax is often has white scales which resembles like a violin.

Lifecycle:

The lifecycle of Yellow fever mosquito consists of four stages; Egg, larvae, pupa and adult. Their females require human blood as meal to complete their protein and to develop their eggs so they feed on humans. One female mosquito can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. Their eggs can survive months without water, waiting for just the right moment to hatch. Unlike most mosquitoes, they bite during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon.

What Symptoms to Look For….?

Yellow Fever: High fever, chills, back pain, nausea, headache, vomiting, fatigue and Jaundice (Yellowing of skin & eyes).
Dengue: Sudden fever, severe headaches, eye pain, rashes, internal bleeding, intense
Zika: Mild fever, red eyes, joint pain.
Chikungunya: Fever, joint pain, fatigue.

Ideal Season: The best season for the Yellow fever mosquito is rainy season. Also the Monsoon and post monsoon weather season (July – October).

Tips for Yellow Fever Mosquito Control:

● Regularly empty containers that contain stagnant water.
● Install mosquito nets or screens to create a physical barrier.
● Keep your lawn trimmed as mosquitoes rest in tall grass and vegetation.
● Cover all the water tanks, drums and uncovered essentials.

Being hygienic enough is sometimes difficult to manage, somehow these mosquitoes gets way inside your homes. That’s why, chemical control or expert pest control services are required in order to get away from the unnecessary fuss. Once spread, these mosquitoes can be controlled by using Delt & Premo+ insecticides.