YELLOW FEVER

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever

Introduction

Yellow Fever refers to a virus which has the capability of affecting multiple kinds of mammals including humans and monkeys. The virus badly affects the body of the subject by having medical consequences including extremely high fever, flushing of cells within the kidney and liver and bleeding from the skin (Tesh et al., 2001, p. 1435). With the passage of time, jaundice is caused due to the extensive damage caused to the liver, and that is where the name Yellow Fever conceptualizes from.

Like majority of the other virus types which exist on this planet, Yellow Fever also requires a host to transfer the disease to the subject's body (Barnes, 2005, p. 52). In this case, a type of mosquito known by the name of Aedes Aegypti acts as the vector of the Yellow Fever. In order to better understand about Yellow Fever, and its relevant control and prevention measures; an in depth discussion regarding the relevant factors is required.

Discussion

Biology and Life Cycle of the Vector of Yellow Fever

The tagging of Aedes aegypti is done under the family head of holometabolous insects. Speaking in rather simpler terms, the mosquito is born as a result of a complete metamorphosis and transformation process beginning from an egg and moving through a larvae, pupae, and adult stage. Moreover, the average lifespan of the adult Aedes aegypti can range from the duration of two weeks to a month's time dependent upon the conditions of the surrounding environment.

Lifecycle of Vector of Yellow Fever (Aedes Aegypti)

Source: http://www.denguevirusnet.com/life-cycle-of-aedes-aegypti.html

Stage 1: Egg

On an average, approximately 100 to 200 eggs are produced in a batch by a female Aedes aegypti mosquito after it has had a meal of blood. Although the number of eggs per batch depends on the size of the meal taken, a female mosquito has the capability of producing around five egg batches in the lifetime. Moreover, the placement of the eggs is on damp surfaces and areas where the likelihood of stagnant water collection is high (Dengue Virus Net, 2013, n.p.).

Contrary to the other species, the eggs are laid in multiple places by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. In other words, the eggs are laid in several different places across the water line selected for egg laying. Moreover, the common properties associated with these eggs include a length of around one millimeter, smooth surface and an ovoid shape. The hatching period of the egg ranges from 2 to 7 days depending on the climate of the surrounding area. Moreover, these eggs have a longer survivability rate in dry conditions in comparison to being exposed to wetness.

Stage 2: Larvae

After the eggs hatch, the feeding process begins in which microscopic organisms and algae in the water are used as a meal by the larvae. Although the larvae like to stay at the surface, but on disturbance or while feeding, the larvae move to the container's bottom. Development at this stage is entirely dependent upon the temperature of the surroundings. Moreover, the male larvae have a greater development rate in ...