Mosquito

Aedes Mosquito	Culex Mosquito	Anopheles Mosquito

Types of Diseases

• Female mosquitoes can transmit several infectious diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and Japanese Encephalitis by biting. As there is currently no source of infection in Singapore for both malaria and Japanese Encephalitis, the main concern is thus the control of dengue fever, which is spread by the Aedes mosquito.

Dengue virus	Malaria

What is Dengue Fever

• Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by dengue virus. The more severe form of dengue fever is dengue hemorrhagic fever. There is currently neither cure nor vaccine for both dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. In Singapore, the disease is transmitted by Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes that carry the virus.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

Please consult a doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed:

Flu-like illness Abrupt onset of high fever Severe headache with pain behind the eyes Muscle and joint pains Loss of sense of taste and appetite Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs Nausea Vomiting

Symptoms of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Symptoms similar to dengue fever plus: Severe stomach pains Pale, cold and clammy skin Bleeding from nose, mouth, and gums and skin bruising Frequent vomiting Sleeplessness and restlessness Excessive thirst Rapid, weak pulse Dizziness Difficulty in breathing Shock Can lead to death

Ways to Prevent Breeding

Control Methods

1. Environmental Control:
   
   Get rid of all potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Example of potential breeding grounds include stagnant water collected in:-
   
   
   • Flower vase and pot plates
   • Watering cans
   • Pails, water storage jars
   • Discarded receptacles
   • Unused toilet bowls and sinks
   • Choked / sunken roof gutters
   • Canvas / plastic sheets
   • Ponds

   Mosquito breeding found within the bowl	Unused toilet bowls
   Collection of water in the Aircon Tray	Unused gully trap

   
   
2. Chemical Control:
   
   

   Insecticides can be used to kill larvae / pupae and adult mosquitoes. They are dispensed as sprays, mists, aerosols and granules.

   
   
3. Biological Control:
   
   

   Biological agents such as predators, parasites or pathogens of mosquitoes and their larvae are used. Examples include rearing of fishes such as guppies in garden ponds to feed on any mosquito larvae or pupae.