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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
Mosquitoes can carry diseases - Better Health Channel
You can reduce the risk of mosquito bites if you get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites around your home.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Department of Health | Dengue Fact Sheet
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by some types of mosquitoes.
Read more on Department of Health website
Dengue
Dengue fever is a viral disease spread only by certain mosquitoes mostly Aedes aegypti or "dengue mosquitoes", which are common in tropical areas around the world.
Read more on Queensland Health 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
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
Barmah Forest virus disease - Better Health Channel
Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease can cause joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and a rash of variable appearance. A full recovery can be expected. Most people recover completely within six months, although some people have intermittent symptoms for longer.
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Malaria
Malaria fact sheet
Read more on NSW Health website
Ross River virus - myDr.com.au
Ross River virus infection is spread by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. Most sufferers will have a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms that often include painful joints.
Read more on myDr website
Chikungunya fact sheet - Fact sheets
Chikungunya is transmitted to people by being bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus. Symptoms include fever, rash and sore joints. The virus is mainly found in Africa and Asia.
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
Top results
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
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
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
