Kannur: In 1897, Sir Ronald Ross discovered that malaria was spread by mosquitoes. Since then, it has been established that mosquitoes are vectors for many deadly diseases, including viral infections. This year alone, mosquitoes have claimed the lives of 105 people in Kerala.
Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis have contributed to these deaths. Additionally, tens of thousands of people have fallen ill due to mosquito bites this year.
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153 mosquito species in Kerala
The family Culicidae encompasses mosquitoes, with two subfamilies: Anophelinae and Culicinae. Both subfamilies are present in Kerala. Anophelinae has three genera, while Culicinae has 38 genera. So far, only the Anopheles genus from the Anophelinae has been recorded in the state. In total, 153 mosquito species belonging to 18 genera have been identified in Kerala. Interestingly, 17 species were first discovered in Kerala.
Genera of mosquitoes in Kerala
The Anophelinae subfamily comprises only one genus, Anopheles. To date, 40 species of anopheles have been found in Kerala. Molecular analysis has revealed two forms of Anopheles subpictus in the state: Anopheles subpictus A, which thrives in freshwater, and Anopheles subpictus B, which grows in saltwater.
In the subfamily Culicinae, Kerala is home to various genera, including Aedes (32), Armigeres (7), Coquillettidia (1), Culex (31), Physalia (1), Heismania (5), Hodgesia (1), Lutzia (1), Malaya (1), Mansonia (3), Mimomyia (3), Orthopodomyia (2), Uranotaenia (13), Topomyia (1), Tripteroides (2), Toxorhynchites (2), and Verrallina (7).
Mosquito-Borne diseases in Kerala
Mosquitoes in Kerala are responsible for transmitting several dangerous diseases, including:
- Malaria: Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes
- Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika: Spread by Aedes mosquitoes
- Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus: Carried by Culex mosquitoes
- Filariasis: Linked to Mansonia mosquitoes.
- Information Credit: Dr. P.K. Sumodan, former Professor at Government College, Madappally.
Published: 20 Aug 2024, 10:00 am IST
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