What Diseases Do Mosquitoes Spread?
Mosquitoes are known for the many diseases that they spread all over the world. Each year, over 700,000 people die from complications related to vector-borne diseases. These diseases most often affect populations in tropical and subtropical regions, but they have been seen worldwide. The most common mosquito-borne diseases are:
- Malaria
- Dengue
- Yellow fever
- Zika virus
- Rift Valley fever
- Schistosomiasis
- Chagas disease
- West Nile virus
Which Mosquitoes Transmit Disease?
The three kinds of mosquitoes that spread diseases are Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles mosquitoes, each of which has multiple subspecies. Thankfully, lots of types of mosquitoes are not responsible for transmitting disease and are mainly a nuisance. Here in Iowa, we have identified some Aedes mosquitoes in the area.
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What Diseases Can Mosquitoes Transmit in Iowa?
There have been over 200 types of mosquitoes found in the United States. Of those, researchers estimate that 12 kinds are capable of passing on diseases. Cases of Dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, and Malaria have been reported in our country; these outbreaks occurred in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Most cases of malaria are brought here by travelers returning from tropical regions. Most types of mosquitoes we encounter are nonthreatening and incapable of transmitting diseases that make people seriously ill.
Signs of a Mosquito-Borne Disease
Most mosquito bites you’ll end up with in Iowa will result in mild symptoms. So what symptoms alert you that you may have contracted a serious illness? Some symptoms of vector-borne diseases are:
- Muscle tremors or seizures
- Severe headaches
- Sudden high fever
- Rashes
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
If you notice any of these symptoms and believe them to be associated with a recent mosquito bite, consider visiting your local hospital.
For properties dealing with frequent and large mosquito populations, professional mosquito control is a great option to consider.
What Diseases Do Mosquitoes Spread in Des Moines?
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