Southern Wayne Neighborhood Organization

Mosquito

Diseases

Mosquitoes Can Carry Serious Disease

Mosquito-borne encephalitis
Viruses carried by mosquitoes (arboviruses) are some of the most common causes of encephalitis throughout the world. Most people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes do not develop any symptoms or develop only a mild flu like illness. For those who do develop encephalitis, symptoms may develop within a few days or up to 2 weeks after the mosquito bite occurred; depending on which virus the mosquito was carrying.
There is no evidence that encephalitis caused by mosquito-borne viruses can be passed from one person to another or from an animal to a person. It is spread only by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The mosquito-borne viruses that cause encephalitis cannot be destroyed with antiviral or other medications. Treatment for these types of encephalitis focuses on reducing the person's symptoms and providing supportive care while the body heals itself.
Most cases of mosquito-borne encephalitis occur during the warmest months of the year, when mosquitoes are most active. In areas that are warm year-round, people may get encephalitis throughout the year.

1. St. Louis Encephalitis is one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S. Epidemics of St. Louis encephalitis have occurred in the Midwest and southeastern states, but cases have been reported throughout the U.S. Severe illness most often affects older adults. The death rate is 5% to 15%.

2. LaCrosse Encephalitis is one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S. This type of encephalitis occurs mainly in the upper Midwest (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio), although there have been some cases reported in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern states. La Crosse encephalitis typically affects children under 16 who live on farms or in forested suburbs. Young children are most likely to have lasting problems after recovery, such as seizures or partial paralysis. Death occurs in less than 1% of cases.

3. West Nile Virus: Until recently, West Nile encephalitis had occurred mostly in Africa, the Middle East, western Asia, and parts of Europe. It first appeared in North America in 1999, when a number of cases were reported in the northeastern U.S. (New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland). Older adults are most like to have severe or fatal illness. West Nile encephalitis leads to death in 3% to 15% of cases.


Dog Heartworm disease occurs all over the world. In the United States, it was once limited to the south and southeast regions. However, the disease is spreading and is now found in most regions of the United States and Canada, particularly where mosquitoes are prevalent. The disease is not spread directly from dog to dog. An intermediate host, the mosquito, is required for transmission. Spread of the disease therefore coincides with the mosquito season. The number of dogs infected and the length of the mosquito season are directly correlated with the incidence of heartworm disease in any given area.
It takes a number of years before dogs show outward signs of infection. Consequently, the disease is diagnosed mostly in 4 to 8 year old dogs. The disease is seldom diagnosed in a dog less than 1 year of age because the young worms (larvae) take up to 7 months to mature following establishment of infection in a dog.

How to Stop Mosquito Breeding

Stop Mosquitoes From Breeding

1. Check you Yard and Home, if there are any places around your home where water collects such as water holding containers or ornamental pools- You May Be Raising Mosquitoes!
2. You should get rid of old tires, tin cans, bottles, jars, buckets, drums and other containers, or keep them empty.
3. You should empty wading pools weekly, and store it when not in use.
4. You should repair outdoor dripping faucets and leaky pipes.
5. You should change water and scrub vases holding flowers or cutting twice each week or grow cuttings in sand. Also, scrub and change water in birdbaths twice weekly and empty pet water bowls daily.

The Facts

It’s A Fact

1. All mosquitoes need water in which to survive their early life stages. Adult flying mosquitoes frequently rest in grass, shrubbery or other foliage but they never develop there.
2. Some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water where they hatch in a day or two.
3. Other mosquitoes lay their eggs in old tires, tins cans or other water holding containers and may not hatch for weeks or months or months until they are covered with water.
4. With both types of mosquitoes the wigglers (larvae) grow quickly and turn into tumblers (pupae). Soon the skin of the tumbler splits open and out climbs another hungry mosquito.

In Marion County Indiana Call: Mosquito Control 221-7440

Marion County Health Department