Unfortunately, while common, mosquito bites aren’t just simply annoying, they can be extremely detrimental and even deadly. In fact, mosquito transmitted diseases account for several million deaths worldwide each year, making it one of the deadliest creatures on Earth. Some of the diseases they can transmit include:

Malaria – This is arguably the most infamous mosquito-borne disease. Classically, malaria presents in three stages, a cold/shivering stage, a hot/fever stage, and lastly a sweating stage. In some cases, malaria can become very severe and can even be fatal.

Yellow Fever – The two mosquitos most well-known for carrying and transmitting the virus are the Aedes and Haemagogus. While there is no cure for this acute hemorrhagic viral disease, a highly effective vaccine is available that can offer life-long protection in a single, affordable dose.

West Nile Virus – Luckily, most people who are infected with West Nile virus will fully recover, although some serious infections can attack the neurological system resulting in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), causing complications and potentially permanent neurological debilitation. Currently, no vaccine or antivirals exist to eliminate West Nile, and risk of infection increases substantially during the summer months as mosquitos are more active during the warm weather.

Zika Virus –  Luckily, most people who contract Zika virus will either have no symptoms, or very mild symptoms such as fever, aches, rash, joint pains, headache, or conjunctivitis. This virus is particularly detrimental to pregnant women and their fetus’ – potentially causing a slew of birth defects, miscarriage, or stillbirth.