Mosquito-borne illnesses remain a public health concern with reported cases doubling over the last two decades. Increasing global travel of families and the expanding range of mosquito vectors means these diseases are no longer confined to traditionally endemic areas. Children are uniquely vulnerable to these infections due to differences in immune response, exposure patterns, and diagnostic challenges.
This webpage provides clinicians with a concise yet comprehensive overview of key mosquito-borne diseases affecting children, including their vectors, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and current treatment recommendations. By enhancing awareness and understanding, this guide aims to support timely identification, management, and prevention of these potentially serious illnesses in pediatric care settings.
The table below provides an overview of each of the illnesses, while subpages linked in the disease collumn provide more detailed information.
Summary Table
| Disease | Vector(s) | Incubation | Key Symptoms | Diagnostic Test(s) | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Nile | Culex spp. | 2–6 days | Fever, rash, neuroinvasive signs | CSF/serum IgM, PCR | Supportive |
| Malaria | Anopheles spp. | 7–30 days | Cyclical fevers, chills, anemia | Blood smear, RDTs | Antimalarials |
| Dengue | Aedes spp. | 4–7 days | Fever, rash, bleeding risk | NS1, IgM/IgG, RT-PCR | Supportive |
| Chikungunya | Aedes spp. | 2–4 days | Joint pain, rash, high fever | Serology, RT-PCR | Supportive, NSAIDs |
| Oropouche | Culicoides, possible Culex | 4–8 days | Fever, headache, nausea | RT-PCR, ELISA | Supportive |
Learn More about Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- About Chikungunya
- Areas at Risk for Chikungunya
- Areas with Risk of Dengue
- Clinical Features of Dengue
- Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for Chikungunya Virus Disease
- Clinical Testing Guidance for Dengue
- Data and Maps for Oropouche
- Malaria Diagnostic Tests
- Preventing Mosquito Bites
- Updated Interim Guidance for Health Departments on Testing and Reporting for Oropouche Virus Disease
- West Nile Virus
- Yellow Fever Vaccine and Malaria Prevention Information, by Country
Medscape
World Health Organization