The dengue fever is caused by which mosquito?

Appeared in: NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Explanation

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected female mosquitoes.
The primary vector for dengue is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, with Aedes albopictus also being a competent vector.
These mosquitoes are known as 'day biters,' with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon, which is a key characteristic distinguishing them from other mosquito types.

Option A: Culex mosquitoes are not the primary vectors for the dengue virus.
Option C: Anopheles mosquitoes do not transmit the dengue virus.
Option D: 'Cullicinide' is not a standard genus classification for mosquitoes. It appears to be a misspelling of the family Culicidae, which includes all mosquitoes, but it is not a specific vector for any particular disease.

Visual 1: Diagram - A comparative chart showing the physical differences and resting postures of Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes. This helps in identifying the vectors visually.
Visual 2: Infographic - A map illustrating the global distribution of dengue fever, which corresponds to the habitats of Aedes mosquitoes, emphasizing the geographical risk areas.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vector-borne diseases and their specific mosquito vectors as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying the correct vector is crucial for public health to implement targeted control measures, such as eliminating Aedes breeding sites (e.g., clean, stagnant water in containers) to prevent dengue outbreaks.
A key nursing role involves educating patients on personal protection, such as using mosquito repellents and wearing protective clothing, especially during daytime hours when Aedes mosquitoes are most active.
What if? If a patient presented with high fever and chills after visiting a malaria-endemic area, the clinical suspicion would shift towards malaria, implicating the Anopheles mosquito. This would prompt different diagnostic tests (like a peripheral blood smear) and treatment protocols compared to dengue.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of community health nursing and microbiology.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'dengue fever' and 'mosquito'.
Recall the main mosquito-borne diseases and their specific vectors.
Associate Aedes mosquitoes with dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus.
Associate Anopheles mosquitoes with malaria.
Associate Culex mosquitoes with Japanese encephalitis and West Nile fever.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET-7 Mains-2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.