Which disease is carried by the Culex mosquito?

Appeared in: UP CHO - 2018

Explanation

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the central nervous system.
It is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes belonging to the Culex genus, specifically Culex tritaeniorhynchus.
The virus circulates between Culex mosquitoes and amplifying hosts like pigs and wading birds.
Humans are incidental or 'dead-end' hosts, meaning they do not develop high enough levels of the virus in their blood to infect other mosquitoes.

Option A: Although lymphatic filariasis (a parasitic disease) can be transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus, it is also transmitted by Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes in different parts of the world. JE has a more specific and primary association with the Culex vector.
Option C: Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti.
Option D: Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease also transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vector-borne diseases and their specific mosquito vectors helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding mosquito vectors is crucial for nurses in community health to implement targeted prevention strategies, such as eliminating specific breeding sites.
Nurses play a key role in educating the public about personal protective measures like using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, repellents, and wearing protective clothing, especially during peak biting times.
What if? If a patient presents with fever and neurological symptoms after traveling to a region endemic for West Nile Virus, the nurse should also suspect a Culex-borne illness, as West Nile Virus is another significant disease transmitted by this vector.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of medical entomology and vector-borne diseases.
First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Culex mosquito'.
Second, review each option and recall the primary mosquito vector associated with it.
Third, eliminate the options transmitted by other vectors. Dengue and Yellow fever are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
Fourth, differentiate between the remaining options. Both Filaria and JE can be transmitted by Culex. However, JE is a viral disease for which Culex is the most well-known and primary vector, making it the best answer in this context.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) pp. 147-149, 148-150, 152-154

Practise the full UP CHO - 2018

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