Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases, which means they can transmit diseases from one human or animal to another. The mosquito population is hard to control, and they often develop resistance to insecticides, making the containment and elimination of mosquito-borne diseases difficult. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year.
The increase of global travel has brought diseases once uncommon or unheard of in the United States to our shores. Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses such as the Zika Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever and West Nile Virus have become more commonplace in recent years. Infected mosquito vectors in Alabama have been documented carrying other serious diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Saint Louis Encephalitis, and La Crosse Encephalitis.
Check here often for the latest information and resources on mosquito-borne illnesses in Alabama.
Mosquito Traps
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is monitoring mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases throughout the state. Two types of adult mosquito traps are placed in various locations overnight. Both operate on portable batteries and use carbon dioxide or special chemical lure in a tube to enhance collections. The CDC trap is made of a plastic cylinder with a fan and a light that hangs under a plastic pan from a tree limb or other structure. The sentinel trap is a collapsible vinyl barrel with a plastic lid and fan which sits on the ground. For mosquito egg surveillance, six-inch black plastic cups with a drain hole in the side and lined with a special paper are set for about a week. See photos of the types of mosquito traps in use below.
- Mosquito Trap (Example 1)
- Mosquito Trap (Example 2)
- Mosquito Trap (Example 3)
- ADPH tracks mosquito activity through trapping at locations throughout the state (News Release 07/28/17)
What's New?
- Protective measures are urged to fight West Nile virus
- CDC Update: Zika Virus in the U.S.
- Zika Virus Video Contest for Alabama Teens
- Alabama Mosquito-Borne Cases from 2005-2016
- "Skeeter Beaters" Coloring Book (3 MB) | en Español (2.8 MB)
- Webcasts:
Zika Virus: Information for Elected Officials
Zika Virus: An Update for Clinicians
Zika Virus: Information for Clinicians
Zika Virus: Information for Travelers
For an overview on Zika Virus, statistics, and resources, visit Zika Virus.
|
|
Cases Reported Year-To-Date* |
Total of Cases by Year Reported |
|||||
Mosquito-Borne Disease |
2019 |
2018 |
% of change |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
|
California serogroup viruses (California encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon, Keystone, La Crosse, Snowshoe hare, Trivittatus viruses) |
0 |
0 |
-- |
0 |
0^ |
0^ |
0^ |
|
Chikungunya |
0 |
0 |
-100% |
1 |
1^ |
1^ |
19^ |
|
Dengue |
3 |
3 |
100% |
0 |
5 |
3^ |
3 |
|
Eastern equine encephalitis |
1 |
0 |
-- |
0 |
0^ |
0^ |
1^ |
|
Malaria |
8 |
9 |
12.5% |
8 |
10 |
11 |
14^ |
|
St. Louis encephalitis |
0 |
0 |
-100% |
1 |
0^ |
0^ |
1^ |
|
West Nile |
4 |
28 |
-54.0% |
61 |
18^ |
9^ |
2^ |
|
Yellow Fever |
0^ |
0 |
-- |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Zika |
0 |
3 |
-25% |
4 |
41^ |
0^ |
0^ |
|
Total |
16 |
43 |
-42.6% |
75 |
75 |
24 |
40 |
Note: Counts include finalized investigations among Alabama residents as of October 7, 2019
*As of MMWR Week 41 (week ending on October 12, 2019)
^The case definition was updated this year for this condition.
For questions or concerns regarding insect-borne disease in Alabama, see the Contact Us page, or email us at entomology@adph.state.al.us
Page last updated: November 6, 2019
