Get to Know the Diseases You Can Get from a Mosquito Bite

The mosquito is considered the world's deadliest creature because it transmits a range of dangerous diseases.

The most well-known mosquito-borne virus in the United States, malaria, was mostly eradicated in the 1950s. Today, West Nile virus is the most commonly transmitted mosquito-borne illness within the U.S.

With the impacts of climate change upon us that have allowed for longer mosquito seasons, we should all be prepared, educated, and aware of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S. and abroad.

How Do Mosquitoes Transmit Diseases?

When a mosquito bites you, it injects a small amount of anticoagulant and saliva into your blood. That’s how infected mosquitoes – those carrying an infectious virus in their gut – can pass the virus to the birds, humans, and other mammals they bite. Mosquitoes get infected and transmit diseases after they feed on the blood of a mammal that is already infected. This puts the infection in the mosquito and then infects any other mammal bit by the same mosquito.

What are the odds that a mosquito that bites you is infected? Well, in areas where mosquitoes carry West Nile virus, for example, about 1 out of 500 mosquitoes are infected.

The good news is that being bitten by a mosquito that carries West Nile doesn’t mean you’ll contract the disease. In fact, scientists believe that only 0.3% of bites from infected mosquitoes transmit West Nile to the bitten human, cow, or crow. In other words, if bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus, the chance of a person developing the illness is roughly 1 in 300.

The infection rates vary based on the disease.

What Diseases Can You Get from Mosquitoes?

There are many different mosquito bite diseases that these flying pests can spread. Because mosquito diseases can be deadly, it’s vital to be aware of the danger they pose and take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

See below for a list of diseases caused by mosquitoes.

If you suspect you, a loved one, or a pet has one of these illnesses, seek medical attention right away.

Malaria

By far the most common mosquito-borne illness affecting humans is malaria. Along with aches and pains, nausea, and fatigue, it causes sweating, fever, and chills. Due to patients’ likelihood of developing severe complications, Malaria can be very dangerous when left untreated.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting malaria. In 2015, there were roughly 212 million malaria cases and an estimated 429,000 deaths. Many regions of Southeast Asia and Africa are extremely vulnerable to malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Mosquito Squad supports Malaria No More and has raised more than $450,000 to help fight malaria in Africa.

West Nile Virus

Originating from the bird-biting mosquito species Culex, West Nile is the most common virus spread by mosquitoes in the continental United States.

West Nile virus causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). However, according to the CDC, about 80 percent of those who have a mosquito bite with West Nile Virus show no symptoms at all. The largest outbreak of West Nile ever recorded in North America was in 2002, with 4,156 people infected.

Zika

At its peak in 2017, there were 542 cases of Zika in the United States. Only seven of those cases were contracted locally, while the rest were contracted while traveling. This virus gets its name from the Zika forest in Uganda, where researchers think it originated in 1947, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.

Even if someone is infected from a mosquito bite, symptoms are usually mild and rarely fatal. The real danger is posed to pregnant women, who pass the virus onto the fetus, frequently resulting in microcephaly, a condition that stunts the growth of the head and brain of the fetus.

Dengue Fever

Also known as breakbone fever, the symptoms of dengue fever tend to be mild, but can be more severe. Infections can include a high fever, headache or pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea or vomiting, swollen glands, and a rash. However, contracting dengue more than once can lead to severe dengue, which has a much higher chance of being deadly.

Dengue is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics. Dengue fever has become more prevalent over the past decades. It’s predominantly active in Southeast Asia and Latin America and is one of the most common mosquito diseases to contract while traveling to tropical locations. As many as 400 million people are infected yearly.

Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus and the most effective protective measures are those that prevent mosquito bites. When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications and death.

Yellow Fever

Endemic to tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America, Yellow Fever has been eliminated in other parts of the world, thanks to a very effective vaccine. The World Health Organization launched its Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy in 2017 to help put an end to this disease.

Yellow Fever virus causes headaches, muscle pain, nausea, and of course, fevers. This virus is usually transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Chikungunya

With symptoms of high fever and extreme joint pain, this mosquito-borne virus mostly occurs in Africa, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. The first reports of Chikungunya in the Americas occurred in 2013 when the virus emerged in the Caribbean. It then expanded rapidly to Central America, South America, and North America. This virus is usually carried by the Aedes mosquito, primarily Aedes aegypti.

Can Mosquitoes Kill Animals?

Unfortunately, yes. Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes can also affect your pets including cats and dogs, along with horses and livestock. Common mosquito-borne viruses that affect animals in the United States, along with West Nile Virus, Malaria, and other common diseases, include:

• Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): Unfortunately, this mosquito-borne virus is typically fatal for horses.
• Dog heartworm (irofilarial immitis): Mosquitoes can carry the larvae of roundworms and can transmit these larvae into dogs and cats (although dogs are much more susceptible to infection).

Reduce Your Risk of Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes

The most effective control of mosquito-borne disease is to reduce or repel mosquito populations. Let us help you fight the bite and fend off the world’s deadliest animal. A traditional barrier treatment service will kill mosquitoes on contact and then deter them for up to 21 days after treatment. Contact your local Mosquito Squad today for a free quote or call us at (877) 332-2239!