Common Mosquito and Tick Diseases

Mosquito bites really make us sick.

Mosquito bites are unpleasant, leaving you itchy and irritated for days. However, mosquitoes and other biting insects can be more than just a nuisance; they can also be fatal. Disease cases transmitted by infected mosquitos, ticks, and fleas have tripled in the last 13 years, totaling more than 640,000 cases since 2004. Mosquito Joe of East Atlanta-Athens wants everyone to enjoy the outdoors no matter where they live or travel, so start educating yourself on these illnesses, where they are prevalent, and how you can protect yourself, your family, and your pets from them.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV)

The Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe symptoms such as brain infections. Only a few human cases are reported in the United States each year. According to the CDC, only six human cases were reported nationwide in 2018. In 2018, one human case was reported in Pennsylvania, and in 2019, it was discovered in multiple states. Cases are most common in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, as well as those surrounding the Great Lakes. Even though this disease is uncommon, it is essential to recognize the symptoms and take preventative measures against this mosquito-borne illness.

West Nile

The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that has spread across the continental United States and has been reported in every state. In Georgia in 2020, eight cases were reported, with seven of those cases being neuroinvasive illnesses such as meningitis or encephalitis. As of mid-August 2020, West Nile had been detected in over 6 Georgia Counties.

Zika Virus

The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitos. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The disease is typically very mild, with only 1 in 5 individuals exhibiting symptoms. Those infected with Zika are unlikely to require hospitalization; severe illness and death are rare. However, Zika symptoms can go undetected and can be transmitted from human to human through sexual contact or from mother to unborn baby. Since 2020, there have been reports of cases in the United States.

To learn more about the illness, visit our Zika virus resource page for more information.

Chikungunya

This virus, pronounced chik-en-gun-ye, is spread by infected mosquitos. Chikungunya symptoms appear three to seven days after being bitten. Fever and joint pain are the most common symptoms, but a headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash have also been reported. While chikungunya is rarely fatal, it can be debilitating. Chikungunya was first reported in the Americas in the Caribbean in 2013. Visitors to this area are especially vulnerable, and they are advised to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay indoors to avoid contracting the virus.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, most commonly the Aedes aegypti. The dengue virus threatens more than one-third of the world’s population. Dengue fever is most common in the tropics and subtropics, so international travelers are most vulnerable. Symptoms of dengue include a high fever and severe headache, eye pain, joint pain, muscle pain, bone pain, rash, or mild bleeding manifestation. There is no specific medication or treatment for dengue; however, infected individuals should seek medical attention, take pain relievers, and drink plenty of fluids.

Mosquitoes aren’t the only ones. Ticks can also carry diseases.

As if mosquitoes aren’t enough to worry about, ticks can pose a serious threat to your family’s health. Tick-borne diseases have more than doubled in the last 13 years, accounting for more than 60% of all vector-borne diseases. Ticks have become a widespread problem in the United States. Learn the tell-tale signs of these tick-borne illnesses to keep your family safe.

Lyme Disease

While there are numerous tick-borne illnesses, Lyme disease is a common illness that affects people across the country. Those in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific coast regions of the United States are the most susceptible. Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a distinct skin rash known as erythema migrans. If left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Those with Lyme disease, however, can recover if treated with antibiotics in the early stages.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a bacterial infection transmitted by the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick. Cases have been reported across the country, with the highest concentrations in North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. RMSF symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Almost all patients get a rash 2 to 4 days after their fever starts. Because early symptoms are not unique to RMSF, if you become ill after being bitten by a tick, seek medical attention immediately. While RMSF can be treated with antibiotics, it can quickly progress to a life-threatening illness if left untreated.

But there is good news. Mosquito Joe of East Atlanta – Athens can help.

What happens in your own backyard can slow and mitigate the spread of these illnesses. You can reduce your family’s exposure to pests and the health risks they pose by learning how to control outdoor pests using the prevention techniques and services offered by Mosquito Joe of East Atlanta – Athens.

Follow these tips to get rid of mosquitoes and ticks in your yard and keep your family safe:

• Eliminate standing water from your property. Stagnant water provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Empty birdbaths, children’s toys, kiddie pools, tire swings, and gardening materials like watering cans and pots regularly.
• Routinely clear gutters and check for clogs so rainwater does not accumulate.
• Use soil to fill in low areas in lawns and landscaped areas where rainwater may collect and stand for more than seven days.
• Ticks like to hide in trash and leaf litter. Remove these from your yard that so ticks will not stand a chance.
• Mow your lawn frequently and clear tall grasses and brush around your home.
• Build fences around your property to inhibit animals such as deer, racoons, and stray dogs from entering your yard.

Taking simple precautions such as these will reduce the risk of disease-spreading pests. Mosquito Joe of East Atlanta – Athens can provide additional protection for your family and pets by eliminating mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas on your property. Give us a call today to find out more information!

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Disclaimer: Mosquito Joe does not make any claims that using our products or services will prevent you or anyone you know from contracting a vector-borne illness. However, taking measures to reduce the mosquito and tick populations around your home is important to consider if you are in a highly affected region. Please leverage the resources above for more information and feel free to contact your local Mosquito Joe to learn more about how you can eliminate these pests around your yard.