Travel First Aid: Mosquito-borne Diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases are those acquired through mosquito bites. Though mosquito-borne diseases have a worldwide distribution, they pose a significant risk in tropical holiday destinations like Bali, where Aedes aegypti mosquitos are in abundance.

A mosquito-borne disease is any illness caused by a virus transmitted to a human from a mosquito bite. Mosquito-borne diseases are acquired through mosquito bites. The mosquito acts as a vector that transmits viruses from one host organism to another organism. The mosquito is classified as a vector because it simply carries the virus rather than becoming ill from it and spreading it through classic contagion. Mosquitos carry a wide variety of viruses that cause diseases in humans. But some are more prevalent than others, and travellers are likely at the most significant risk for acquiring a mosquito-borne infection. Summertime in Australia is one of the most popular seasons for travel to other countries, especially tropical destinations like Indonesia. Bali is a hotspot for the type of mosquito, Aedes aegypti, that hosts many mosquito-borne diseases. The diseases reviewed below are commonly mild, but some people experience severe illness or prolonged symptoms. For that reason, mosquito-borne diseases are a worldwide health concern and worth learning about. Organisations like the World Mosquito Program are educating, monitoring, and fighting the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases. According to their website, the organisation reports a 77% reduction in the transmission of dengue incidence in the areas that were treated using their ground-breaking method of introducing mosquitos into natural circulation that are unable to carry and spread the viruses.1 Although organisations are making great strides in the reduction of disease incidence, travellers and residents of high-incidence areas should protect themselves using education and prevention strategies. Below we will review four common mosquito-borne diseases: Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever.

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