How can I preventmosquito-borne diseases?
1. Protect Against Mosquito Bitesv Use EPA-
registeredinsect repellentwith DEET,picaridin,IR3535, oil oflemoneucalyptus (para-menthane-diol) or 2-undecanone. Always follow the productlabel instructions.
v Do not use insect repellent on childrenyounger than 2 months. Do not useproducts with oil of lemon eucalyptus(para-menthane-diol) on children youngerthan 3 years.
v Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.Cover crib, stroller and baby carrier withmosquito netting.
2. Avoid Mosquito Bites After Travelv Avoid mosquito bites for 3 weeks after travel.
This helps to reduce the spread of newdiseases to local New Jersey mosquitoeswhich may then infect other people.
3. Mosquito-Proof Your Home and Yardv Empty or
change outdoorstanding waterweekly to stopmosquitobreeding.
v Use window and door screens. Repairholes in screens to keep mosquitoesoutside and use air conditioning whenpossible.
New Jersey Department of HealthCommunicable Disease ServicePO Box 369Trenton, NJ 08625(609) 826-4872
Mar18 C2506
Mosquito-Borne
DISEASES
Where can I find moreinformation about mosquito-borne diseases?New Jersey Department of HealthCommunicable Disease Service: www.state.nj.us/health/cd
New Jersey Department ofEnvironmental Protection Office ofMosquito Control Coordination: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito
Centers for Disease Control andPrevention Division of Vector-BorneDiseases: www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/index.html
Environmental Protection AgencyInsect Repellents: www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
What are mosquito-bornediseases?Mosquito-borne diseases are illnesses that arespread to humans by the bite of an infectedmosquito. In New Jersey, the most commonmosquito-borne diseases people can get fromlocal mosquitoes are:
v West Nile virusv Eastern equine encephalitis
In other areas, mosquito-borne diseasesinclude:
What are the symptoms ofmosquito-borne diseases?Most people infected with a mosquito-borneillness do not show any symptoms. Dependingon the disease, if symptoms do appear, theymay be mild. However, symptoms cansometimes be severe and result in death.Symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease typicallyappear 2-14 days after exposure.
Who is at risk formosquito-borne diseases?Anyone can get amosquito-borneillness, but peoplewho spend more timeoutside have a higherrisk of becominginfected. Older adultsand people with weakimmune systems maydevelop more severe illness.
How are mosquito-bornediseases diagnosed?Visit a healthcareprovider if you developany symptoms of amosquito-borneillness. Make sure tomention recent traveland outdoor activities.A healthcare providercan order blood tests to look for infection based onyour symptoms and exposure.
How do mosquito-bornediseases spread?Mosquitoes become infected when they feedon birds or mammals carrying the disease.Infected mosquitoes can then spread the diseaseto people and other animals such as horses.
Rarely, some mosquito-borne diseases can bespread through blood transfusion, organtransplantation, unprotected sex, breastfeedingand pregnancy.
M O S Q U I T O - B O R N E D I S E A S E S
v Chikungunya v Denguev Jamestown
Canyon virusv La Crosse
encephalitis
v Malaria v St. Louis
encephalitisv Yellow Feverv Zika
What is thetreatment formosquito-bornediseases?There are no vaccines orspecific treatments formost mosquito-bornediseases. Mild casesusually improve on theirown. In severe cases,patients may need to behospitalized. If you thinkyou or a family membermay have a mosquito-borne disease, call or visita healthcare provider.
Mild Illness
Severe Illness
Fever Joint pain Chills Body aches Headache Rash
High fever Paralysis Stiff neck Coma Seizures Heavy bleedingConfusion Brain swelling