🦟 How to Recognize the Mosquitoes That Spread Dengue Fever
How to Recognize the Mosquitoes That Spread Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is an acute viral infection caused by the Dengue virus and transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. In many tropical countries, dengue outbreaks occur every year. Knowing how to identify the mosquitoes that spread the disease can help protect yourself and your family.
Two Species Transmit Dengue
According to Preventive Medicine Department, two mosquito species are responsible for spreading dengue: Aedes aegypti (the main vector) and Aedes albopictus.
| aedes aegypti (right) - aedes albopictus (left) |
These mosquitoes are black with distinctive white spots on their bodies and legs. They thrive during the rainy season when average monthly temperatures rise above 20°C (68°F). Beyond dengue, Aedes mosquitoes can also transmit yellow fever, Chikungunya, and Zika virus.
Close to Humans
Aedes mosquitoes prefer human blood and often live indoors, staying near people. They rest in dark places such as on light-colored clothing, household items, and flower vases.
Their eggs can survive for months in dry conditions. Larvae (wrigglers) develop in a variety of water containers created by human activity: jars, tanks, bottles, flower vases, ornamental ponds, and even boats. Rainwater, air-conditioner drainage pipes, and large cement tanks can also become breeding grounds.
How Dengue Is Transmitted
Aedes mosquitoes are highly adapted to urban environments and are very sensitive to human movement. A female mosquito may stop feeding if it senses slight movement, then return to bite again. This behavior means a single mosquito can bite multiple people in one feeding cycle, spreading the Dengue virus to many individuals in a short time — even if it hasn’t fully drawn blood yet.
Short Life Cycle
The Aedes mosquito has a short life cycle:
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Eggs hatch into larvae within 4–7 days (longer in poor conditions).
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Larvae look like tiny commas, live on the water surface, and can dive to escape danger.
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In 1–3 days, larvae transform into pupae and then adult mosquitoes.
Under ideal conditions, the entire cycle from egg to adult takes 7–13 days. Adult females live 20–40 days and can lay 60–100 eggs per batch, while males live about 9–12 days.
How to Prevent Dengue
1. Eliminate Mosquitoes and Larvae
Use mosquito coils, sprays, or coordinate with local authorities for insecticide spraying. Remove or clean up containers that can hold water where larvae breed.
2. Avoid Mosquito Bites
Install mosquito screens on doors and windows. Use plants known to repel mosquitoes. Sleep under mosquito nets, wear long-sleeved clothing during the day, and apply mosquito repellent.
3. Vaccination
We now offers a dengue vaccine covering all four Dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4). Vaccination reduces the risk of infection and hospitalization.
🌿 Bottom line: Recognizing Aedes mosquitoes and actively preventing their spread — by eliminating breeding sites, protecting against bites, and getting vaccinated — is the most effective way to fight dengue fever.
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