Mind The Bite: Mosquitoes Can Wreck Brain, Not Just Cause Dengue, Malaria
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Nagpur: Next time a mosquito bites you, there's more to worry about than just malaria or dengue. Experts say that mosquitoes are spreading diseases, many of which can severely damage the brain.
Highlighting the issue during World Brain Week, experts — including Padma Shri Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram, trustee of the World Federation of Neurology — have raised the alarm about how mosquito-borne infections are increasingly threatening brain health. "The majority of deaths caused by mosquito-borne diseases are due to brain involvement. Nervous system complications are now being reported more frequently," said Dr Meshram.
Neurologists say that different mosquito species spread different diseases: Aedes mosquitoes spread zika, dengue, and chikungunya; Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria; and Culex mosquitoes are responsible for Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus. "Only female mosquitoes bite humans because they require protein during reproduction," Dr Meshram explained. What was once confined to tropical and subtropical regions has now expanded globally.
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Aedes mosquitoes are now expanding into new geographical areas.
One of the most persistent threats is chikungunya. Neurological complications from chikungunya — such as encephalopathy, spinal cord inflammation, and neuropathy — are seen in many patients. "About 10% die, and up to 40% of children develop long-term disabilities. We still don't have a specific treatment, but two vaccines are now nearing availability in India," Dr Meshram informed.
Dengue is another growing concern. According to Dr Marco Medina, former president of the Pan American Federation of Neurological Sciences, "The global incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold in the last 30 years. It's now endemic in 128 countries, affecting 3.9 billion people, with around 70 to 140 million cases annually, and 5 lakh severe cases."
Dr Medina highlighted that neurological symptoms occur in 4–5% of confirmed dengue cases, including encephalitis, meningitis, Parkinson's-like symptoms, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and even vision loss.
"Though the Dengvaxia vaccine has been licensed in some countries, it requires three doses over six months and is not yet universally available," he added.
The threat of malaria is equally alarming. "In 2023 alone, the world saw 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths, with Africa accounting for 94% of these," said Dr Lawrence Tucker, president of the African Academy of Neurology.
To combat these diseases, neurologists advocate sustained mosquito control and personal protection.
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