With the onset of mosquito season here in Tennessee, now is the time to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and the diseases they carry. Here are 3 common mosquito-borne diseases you should be aware of this summer and tips to prevent them:
1. Zika Virus
Zika was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda, Africa with outbreaks identified soon after throughout tropical areas in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, according to the CDC. Infected mosquitoes, primarily of the Aedes species and active during the day and evening, are now prevalent in many countries including the U.S and spread Zika to people and animals through bites. Zika can also be sexually transmitted from one infected partner to another, from pregnant women to unborn babies, and through blood transfusions.
Symptoms of Zika
- Rash
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Red eyes
Many of those infected with Zika won’t show symptoms at all or only mild symptoms lasting up to a week. The effects of Zika are particularly dangerous for pregnant women as the virus can be transferred from mother to fetus, causing Microcephaly, a condition that can cause brain and eye defects, hearing deficits, and impair growth.
Zika Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent the spread of Zika is to prevent mosquito bites. Currently there is no vaccine to treat Zika.
- Cover arms and legs in loose, light-colored clothing
- Use insect repellent when outdoors
- Repair/replace missing or damage window and door screens
- Reduce mosquito populations around your home with monthly mosquito treatments (click here for green mosquito control options)
- Avoid traveling to countries or areas with known Zika outbreaks – see a list from the CDC here
- Avoid having unprotected sex
2. West Nile Virus
West Nile emerged in the U.S. in New York in 1999 with 62 confirmed cases and 7 human deaths, according to the AMCA. A mosquito-borne virus carried by many different mosquitoes, one of the most common being the Culex species, West Nile is most often transferred from birds to mosquitoes, and then from mosquitoes to humans and animals through bites.
Symptoms of West Nile
- Headache
- Body ache
- Fever
Only about 20% of people infected with West Nile will show symptoms. Rarely, symptoms are severe (most often in people 50 or older) – a serious condition called West Nile encephalitis, which may require hospitalization.
Severe Symptoms of West Nile (encephalitis)
- High fever
- Neck stiffness
- Coma
- Disorientation
- Muscle weakness
- Convulsions
- Paralysis
- Death
West Nile Prevention Tips
- Cover arms and legs in loose, light-colored clothing
- Use insect repellent when outdoors
- Repair/replace missing or damage window and door screens
- Reduce mosquito populations in your yard with professional mosquito control
3. Dengue
Dengue is the leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics, according to the CDC, with 400 million people infected each year. Be cautious of dengue while traveling to popular tourist destinations like Puerto Rico, parts of Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands. Carried by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species, which are found throughout the world, dengue is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans through bites and infected humans can transmit the disease to other mosquitoes, when bitten.
Symptoms of Dengue
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Eye pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Rash
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding gums and/or nose
Dengue Prevention Tips
The best way to reduce your risk of contracting dengue is to prevent mosquito bites when traveling to areas with dengue outbreaks.
- Cover arms and legs in loose, light-colored clothing
- Use insect repellent when outdoors
- Stay indoors in air conditioned areas as often as possible
- Avoid areas near standing water, mosquito breeding sites
- Avoid going outside during peak mosquito hours – dawn to dusk
