What Diseases Do Mosquitoes Carry?

Everyone agrees that mosquitoes are annoying, but they have the potential to become much worse than that. These pests carry a number of diseases and in many instances, a person may contract one or more of those illnesses with just one bite. While there are thousands of diseases mosquitoes may carry and transmit to humans, there are some that are more commonly seen than others. Below is a list of the most common mosquito-borne diseases that have been discovered in Missouri.

Zika

For most people, contracting the Zika virus from a mosquito will result in minor symptoms, such as joint pain, a rash, fever, and red eyes. For pregnant women and their babies though, the consequences of Zika are far more dire. Fetuses at any stage may suffer from smaller heads, which results in infants that suffer from permanent brain damage.

West Nile 

Again, being bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will rarely result in a serious illness. Common symptoms include joint pain, fever, diarrhea, a rash, and vomiting. Some people though, may experience complications that result in infections of the brain, such as encephalitis or meningitis. West Nile virus cases have been seen in all states except Alaska and Hawaii.

Chikungunya

This disease is common in Asia and India, but it has started to be seen in Europe and North America, as well. The name comes from the African language and is meant to indicate the stooped appearance one has due to the severe joint pain this disease causes. Although there is no known cure, most people recover on their own, but that can take several months, or even years.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

A disease that mosquitoes carry and that is becoming more and more common in Missouri, the effects of EEE for those that contract it are sometimes devastating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this disease is fatal for approximately 30 percent of people that contract it. Even when a person survives the condition, they often suffer from neurological problems for the rest of their life.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever has been around for over 400 years, and is present in Africa, South America, and North America. This disease was once considered a traveler’s disease, because people would travel to an area where mosquitoes are known for carrying yellow fever and become infected after being bitten. Today, most countries have strict guidelines surrounding the vaccine for yellow fever and will not allow visitors in without proper documentation.

Our Missouri Mosquito Control Specialists can Remove the Risk

It is bad enough having mosquitoes in your yard. Knowing that they carry the risk of such serious diseases though, makes them even more of a threat. If you have a mosquito problem in your yard, our St. Charles mosquito control specialists at Amco Ranger can help. We will put our experience to work to eliminate the problem and prevent it from coming back, so your yard is safe once again. Call us today at (636) 223-8214 to schedule a free inspection.