a handbook of the mosquitoes of north america - Systematic Catalog ...

RELATION TO WELFARE 55
has demonstrated experimentally that A&s luteocephalus
Newst., Aedes aficoawaclatus Edw., and Eretmopodites chryso-
gaster Graham, can transmit the disease from monkey to mon-
key. Three other species of mosquitoes were found to be nega-
tive. As yet but a comparatively small number of West Afri-
can species have been tested. The future spread of this disease
becomes a very serious problem. The work of mosquito con-
trol and eradication should be urged by every intelligent per-
son.
Dengue
Dengue is a non-infectious disease of low mortality. It is
frequently known as break-bone fever. Its onset is character-
ized by headache, aching eyes, and severe body and limb pains.
The causative agent is unknown, but it is a filter-passing or-
ganism and is transmitted by the agency of a mosquito-the
yellow fever mosquito (Aedes cFgypti).
This disease is widespread throughout many tropical and
sub-tropical regions of the world. It frequently appears in
epidemic or pandemic waves when the great majority of the
population may suffer. Its appearance in more northern areas
occurs in the summer or autumn when the mosquito host is
prevalent but it always dies out when cold weather intervenes-
killing off the mosquito. In North America, it is confined
largely south of 38” N. latitude and great outbreaks have oc-
curred in the southern states.
Recent work has shown that probably only one species of
mosquito, Aedes cpgypti, is the vector. In order to become
infected, the mosquito must bite a dengue patient during the
first three days of the disease. It requires-at least eleven days
before the mosquito can transmit the virus. Once infected the
mosquito remains infective throughout life.
As many people suffering from this disease may have it
in mCld form they remain at their daily tasks and are excellent
subjects from which large numbers of mosquitoes become in-
fected. The yellow fever mosquito is the most domesticated