Which mosquito bite causes Dengue?

MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
This mosquito is easily identifiable by the black and white stripes on its body and legs, earning it the name 'tiger mosquito,' as shown in the image.
It primarily bites during the daytime and breeds in artificial collections of clean water near human habitats.
Besides Dengue, Aedes aegypti is also the vector for other significant viral diseases like Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, and Zika virus.

Option A: The Culex mosquito is not the vector for Dengue. It is primarily responsible for transmitting diseases like Japanese Encephalitis and Bancroftian Filariasis.
Option C: The female Anopheles mosquito is the well-known vector for Malaria, not Dengue. Its resting posture and breeding habits differ significantly from Aedes.
Option D: Mites are arachnids, not insects, and they do not transmit Dengue. Certain types of mites, like Trombiculid mites (chiggers), are vectors for diseases such as Scrub Typhus.

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 transmitting agents, focusing on Dengue fever as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient and community education regarding vector control and prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of Dengue.
Recognizing the signs of Dengue (high fever, headache, rash, muscle/joint pain) and understanding its transmission is vital for early diagnosis and management, including monitoring for warning signs of severe Dengue (e.g., bleeding, abdominal pain).
What if? If a patient presented with fever, chills, and sweating that occurs in cycles (e.g., every 48-72 hours), the nurse should suspect Malaria, and the focus would shift to the Anopheles mosquito and recent travel history to endemic areas.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core question: The question asks to identify the specific vector for Dengue fever.
Analyze the image: Observe the mosquito's features. The black and white stripes are a key identifier for the Aedes aegypti (tiger) mosquito.
Evaluate the options based on knowledge of medical entomology.
Recall the vectors for common diseases: Dengue is transmitted by Aedes, Malaria by Anopheles, Japanese Encephalitis/Filariasis by Culex, and Scrub Typhus by mites.
Select the option that correctly links the disease (Dengue) with its vector (Aedes aegypti).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Vector-borne diseases and their specific transmitting agents, focusing on Dengue fever.
Stem keywords: mosquito bite, Dengue
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: The image of the 'tiger mosquito' is a significant clue, pointing directly to Aedes aegypti.

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