7 Common Diseases Transmitted by Insects and Ticks

Insects are notable carriers of various disease-causing microorganisms. Based on geographics, these infections are either widely or sparsely spread. Insect-borne diseases are mainly bacterial or viral illnesses. And famous culprits include fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, bed bugs, lice, and flies.

In tropical environments with fewer pest control measures, most of these diseases are pronounced. And the commonest is malaria. Others include yellow fever, dengue, Lyme disease, sleeping sickness, filariasis, leishmaniasis, zika virus, etc. In this article, we’ll be discussing a handful of these illnesses, their symptoms, and available treatment solutions.

1. Malaria

Most commuters are potentially at risk of this tropical and subtropical signature illness. Malaria is caused by a unicellular parasite of the genus Plasmodium in the blood. Usually, the vector of the disease is the female Anopheles mosquito. While some regions have recorded incredible triumph over this disease, it remains a lethal condition in others. An example is some remote parts of Africa.

2. Dengue

Similarly, dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by infected females of the Aedes mosquito species. Symptoms accompanying this illness include loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, joint and muscle pain, etc.

Dengue is also renowned in most tropical and subtropical zones around the globe. It has been found in over 100 nations, including Asia, Africa, and the American continents.

The treatment for this infection is symptomatic. And often, it lasts for a week and is marked by an extensive recovery period.

3. Lyme Disease

Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria cause Lyme. This microorganism is transmitted to humans via tick bites of the Ixodes genus. Central Europe has the highest infection rate and is more endemic in southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Austria.

Almost immediately after the tick sting, there’s a red lesion on the skin. And this discoloration remains for weeks. Going forward, it could lead to other health implications like paralysis (joint and nervous system compromise), heart rhythm irregularities, etc. Antibiotics have been excellent pharmaceutical resources for treatment.

4. Tick-borne Encephalitis

TBE is also referred to as Tick-borne meningoencephalitis. And it’s a degenerative disease of the central nervous system caused by a Flavivirus of the Ixodes Ricinus ticks. A person contracts this infection by feeding on unpasteurized dairy commodities from contaminated animals.

The risks of TBE are of considerable concern in the neurological system. This comprises meningitis and meningoencephalitis. It’s common in European and Asian territories.

5. Zika Virus

Aedes mosquitoes transmit the Zika virus. This illness is capable of causing microcephaly in babies infected during pregnancy. Symptoms are mostly mild and include rash, fever, joint pain, red eye, etc.

Outbreaks of the disease are recorded in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and America. Zika virus can also cause Guillain-Barre syndrome in children and adults.

6. West Nile Disease

West Nile Virus is another infection spread by a Flavivirus. Mosquitoes of the Culex genus are vectors. Sometimes, birds abode these viruses, making infected species potentially dangerous to the human community.

Symptoms include headache, fever, body aches, stiff neck, seizures, muscular fatigue, etc.

7. Leishmaniases

The protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania causes Leishmaniasis infections. And that’s offset by a bite from an infected phlebotomine sandfly. The causal agents are renowned in tropical and subtropical parts of Europe. Signs of the disease include gradual deterioration of the spleen and lymph nodes and chronic ulcers.

Diseases caused by insects are numerous. Hence it’s vital to adopt safe practices to diminish the outbreak of these infections.