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42-15710894

2005 --- A female mosquito, which is the primary vector for the spread of Dengue fever, The responsible virus that causes Dengue is maintained in the mosquito's life cycle, and involves humans to whom the virus is transmitted when bitten. The female mosquito pictured here, is shown as she was obtaining a blood meal by inserting the feeding stylet through the skin, and into a blood vessel. Blood can be seen being drawn up through the stylet, and into the mosquito's mouth. is a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans; Dengue is spread by the female only, for the male does not bite. Infection with dengue viruses produces a spectrum of clinical illness ranging from a nonspecific viral syndrome to severe and fatal hemorrhagic disease. --- Image by © CDC/PHIL/Corbis