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Mosquito-Borne Illnesses (Arboviruses)
"Arbovirus" is the name given to arthropod-borne viruses. These viruses are transmitted to vertebrates, such as people and mammals, by blood-feeding insects called arthropods, such as mosquitoes. Vertebrate infection occurs when the infected insect bites an animal or person and takes a blood meal. Arboviruses are also known as vector-borne diseases.
In North Carolina, there are three main arboviruses that are transmitted to both people and animals by various types of mosquitoes:
Most cases of arboviral disease occur from June through September, when mosquitoes are most active. Arboviruses usually cause either no symptoms or mild, flu-like illness. They can cause more serious conditions, including encephalitis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis and can be fatal.
Dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever are also reportable mosquito-borne illnesses in North Carolina. They are not transmitted by mosquitoes in this state but North Carolinians may contract one of these diseases if they travel to certain countries or regions where these diseases are found, such as the tropics or sub-Saharan Africa.
Mosquito-borne illness can be prevented in two major ways: personal protective measures and reducing the population of infected mosquitoes. Personal measures include reducing time outdoors particularly in early morning and early evening hours; wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts; and applying mosquito repellent to exposed skin areas. Measures to reduce mosquito populations include eliminating mosquito breeding areas and sometimes spraying of insecticides to kill juvenile (larvae) and adult mosquitoes.
– Reported cases of mosquito-borne infection by state, county and U.S. territory.
