MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES
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THE MALARIA MOSQUITO
APPEARANCE
Large, dark-brown mosquito with four dense patches of scales on each wing.
ACTIVE TIME
Most active at dusk and dawn.
DISEASES
Chief vector of malaria in the eastern, central, and southern United States.
BREEDING SITES
Permanent fresh water in sluggish streams, canals, ponds, and lakes containing surface-growing or emergent vegetation or floating debris.
YELLOW FEVER MOSQUITO
APPEARANCE
Small mosquitoes with a distinctive body pattern (shown left) and striped markings.
ACTIVE TIME
Very aggressive. Often bites during the day.
DISEASES
Can spread dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever, among other diseases.
BREEDING SITES
Containers that hold water for seven days or more.
AEDES ALBOPICTUS MOSQUITO
APPEARANCE
Black mosquito with striking white markings on the body and legs.
ACTIVE TIME
Very aggresive. Often bites during the day.
DISEASES
Vector for Chikungunya, West Nile virus and heartworm, among others.
BREEDING SITES
Containers that hold water for seven days or more.
THE HOUSE MOSQUITO
APPEARANCE
Light brown mosquitoes that lack distinctive markings on the proboscis and legs
ACTIVE TIME
Most active at dusk and dawn.
DISEASES
Recognized as the primary vector of St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus in the eastern United States.
BREEDING SITES
Containers that hold water for seven days or more. Storm drains and catch basins. Septic seepage and other foul water
CHIKUNGUNYA
ABOUT
Chikungunya is a viral dsiease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The virus does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.
VECTOR MOSQUITOES
Most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger) mosquitoes. They bite mostly during the daytime.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms usually being 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Severe
- Joint Pain
- Fatigue
- Muscle Pain
- Rash
- Headache
TREATMENT
There is no cure for chikungunya. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
DOG HEARTWORM
ABOUT
Heartworm disease is a serious parasitic condition spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in the blood vessels and heart of infected pets. The parasite can cause injury to the lungs, arteries and heart.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms usually being 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito:
- Cough
- Exercise Intolerance
- Abnormal Lung Sounds
- Enlargement of the Liver
- Abnormal Heart Sounds
TREATMENT
If infected, your pet will likely need courses of steroids, heartworm preventive and antibiotics before he/she is ready to start the actual adult heartworm treatment. This could take up to 60 days.
EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS
ABOUT
EEE is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. EEE can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis.) Most cases of EEE have been reported from Atlantic and Gulf Coast states and the Great Lakes region.
VECTOR MOSQUITOES
Transmitted to humans by smoe Aedes, Coquillettidia, and Culex species capable of creating a “bridge” between infected birds and uninfected mammals.
SYMPTOMS
It takes 4 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms of EEE. Severe cases begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting, followed by disorientation, seizures, and coma.
TREATMENT
There is no specific treatment for EEE, and it can be fatal. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and no effective anti-viral drugs have been discovered.
