VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES

VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES

Vector-borne disease is the term used to describe an illness transmitted to people by blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice, biting flies and bugs and blood-sucking arachnids such as mites and ticks. Vector [illness] and the type of mosquito that transmits it:

West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis: House mosquito Culex pipiens.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis: Culiseta perturbans (bridge mosquito in Ohio in primarily marshy areas) primarily affects horses; wild birds are the reservoir.

La Cross Encephalitis: Aedes triseriatus (tree-hole mosquito).

Dengue Fever: Aedes aegypti.

Vector and the tick that transmits it:

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Dog tick.

Tularemia and potentially rock mountain spotted fever: Lone Star Tick.

Lyme Disease: Deer Tick.

Control Measures

Avoid high grass areas; wear light colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants tucked inside boots; inspect body after being in the woods.

If bitten by a tick, it can be brought to the health department for testing.

Sources:Mahoning County District Board of Health/National Pest Management Association