Mosquito-borne diseases

Mosquito-borne infections are flourishing worldwide with over one million deaths every year. Globalization of travel and trade and environmental changes show a strong impact on disease transmission which continuously increased in recent years.

Since multiple mosquito-borne infections can show similar symptoms like febrille illness, muscle and joint pain laboratory testing is of high importance to confirm the etiology of disease and to introduce aprprioate treatment.

Malaria

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by infection with the parasite Plasmodiumand is transmitted by a female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria counts as one of the world’s greatest public health problems with estimated 400,000 deaths annually.

Zika

Zika is a viral disease and is primarily transmitted by infected mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Usually, people infected with Zika virus show mild symptoms. However there is scientific evidence that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome demonstrating the need for a reliable and fast clinical diagnosis.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral disease and is transmitted by infected mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Transmission is not limited to Africa and Asia but occurred also in the Americas and even in Europe in recent years. Because the disease shares common clinical signs with dengue and can be misdiagnosed, differential diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.

Dengue

Dengue is the most common arboviral disease and is transmitted by infected mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. About half of the world’s population lives in risk areas resulting in estimated 390 million infections per year. Since no specific treatment is available, early detection and prompt supportive treatment lower fatality rates in sever dengue cases.