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Close-up image of mosquito biting human skin to help illustrate mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquito-borne diseases
Barmah Forest virus
This illness is transmitted by mosquitoes and found only in Australia. Learn about the symptoms of, and treatment options for, Barmah Forest virus.
Chikungunya virus
Chikungunya virus is found mainly in Africa and Asia, so if you're travelling to these areas it's important to prevent mosquito bites.
Dengue fever
This illness can feel like a bad case of flu. Dengue fever is found in tropical and sub-tropical areas in Africa, Asia, South America and Australia.
Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is a tropical disease spread by mosquito bites that can cause arms and legs to swell and the skin to become hard and thick.
Malaria
This disease is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, which causes an infection of the red blood cells. Discover more about malaria.
Murray Valley encephalitis
This rare illness is caused by a mosquito-borne virus found in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Learn about its symptoms and prevention.
Ross River virus
Ross River virus is carried by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, rash and joint pain — but most people recover in a few weeks. Learn more here.
Yellow fever
Vaccination is recommended for yellow fever — a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes in areas of Africa, and Central and South America.
Zika virus
Learn more about the Zika virus, and why it's advisable for pregnant women to avoid travelling to countries with outbreaks.
Need more information?
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Top results
Malaria overview - myDr.com.au
Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease that is caused by a parasitic infection of the red blood cells.
Read more on myDr website
Japanese encephalitis fact sheet - Fact sheets
Japanese encephalitis fact sheet
Read more on NSW Health website
Barmah Forest virus fact sheet - Fact sheets
Barmah Forest virus is transmitted to people by being bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus. Symptoms include fever, rash and sore joints. Avoiding mosquito bites prevents infection.
Read more on NSW Health website
Ross River virus — Arthritis Australia
Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus are infections that are spread to humans through mosquito bites
Read more on Arthritis Australia website
Murray Valley encephalitis - Better Health Channel
The only protection from Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is to avoid mosquito bites.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is a viral disease which causes bleeding, jaundice, kidney and liver failure and which is primarily spread by mosquitoes.
Read more on WA Health website
Malaria
Malaria fact sheet
Read more on NSW Health website
Ross River Virus
Ross River Virus Category: Infections and Parasites Topic: Viral Infections Send by email View as PDF Send by post Ross River virus (sometimes called epidemic polyarthritis) is a disease caused by a virus which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito
Read more on Queensland Health website
Barmah Forest Virus
Barmah Forest Virus Category: Infections and Parasites Topic: Viral Infections Send by email View as PDF Send by post Barmah Forest virus is the name given to a virus that is carried by mosquitoes
Read more on Queensland Health website
Ross River fever - Lab Tests Online AU
Ross River fever is a common cause of arthritis in Australia acquired through a mosquito bite.
Read more on Lab Tests Online AU website
Top results
Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention | Ausmed
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two species of mosquitoes that are of concern as they have the potential to spread viral infections including Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, Murray Valley encephalitis, Barmah Forest virus, Ross River virus, and chikungunya (Weeratunga et al. 2017).
Read more on Ausmed Education website
What is Dengue? Mosquito Transmitted Diseases
Dengue is caused by the dengue virus, of which there are at least four genotypes. Infection gives lifelong immunity to the infecting type but not to any of the others; infection with any of which may lead to more severe disease.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Barmah Forest Virus Infection | Ausmed
Barmah Forest virus infection is the second most common mosquito-borne infection in Australia (after Ross River virus infection). On average, some 700 fresh cases are notified each year (over 400 in Queensland), but in epidemic years, numbers have approached 2000.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Malaria: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention | Ausmed
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. At least 200 million people are infected with malaria every year, with an estimated 400,000 deaths annually.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Know the Risks of Ross River Virus Infection
With recent spikes in the number of reported cases of Ross River virus infection in Australia (Sundstrom 2016), it is an important time to familiarise yourself with Australia’s most common mosquito-borne infection.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
