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 in 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.

For more information on tick-borne disease case counts, see our Data page.

What You Can Do to Help

• Eliminate standing water in yards, gutters, and containers, this is where mosquitoes breed.
• Use insect repellent when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, when possible, in mosquito-prone areas.

By taking simple steps at home and in your community, you can help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and protect public health.

August 20 is World Mosquito Day

World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20 to raise awareness about the impact of mosquitoes on global health. It marks the historic 1897 discovery by Sir Ronald Ross that mosquitoes transmit malaria, a breakthrough that changed the course of public health and disease prevention. This year's observance marks the 129th anniversary of this historic medical breakthrough.

While progress has been made, mosquitoes remain among the world’s deadliest animals, spreading serious diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. These illnesses continue to affect millions of people every year, especially in vulnerable communities.

Oropouche Virus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an alert on a new emerging infectious disease, Oropouche virus. Oropouche is spread through the bite of certain mosquitoes and biting midges. Between January 1 and August 1, 2024, more than 8,000 cases of Oropouche virus disease were reported, including two deaths and five cases of vertical transmission of the virus to the fetus associated with fetal death or congenital abnormalities. Countries reporting cases include Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba. In the United States and Europe in 2024, travel-associated cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil.

Travelers to any of the above countries should take steps to prevent bug bites during travel to protect themselves from infection. In addition, people who are pregnant and considering travel to areas with reported Oropouche virus transmission should use precautions and be aware of the possible risks to the fetus.

For more information on the Oropouche virus, see Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers.

Resources

• Risk and People Who Are Immunocompromised
• CDC Press Kit: Mosquito-borne Diseases
• CDC Mosquito Control at Home (Indoor Spraying) English | Spanish
• CDC Mosquito Control at Home (Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home) English | Spanish
• "Skeeter Beaters" Coloring Book | en Español
• Archived Vector-borne Diseases (VBD) Newsletters

For questions or concerns regarding insect-borne disease in Alabama, see the Contact Us page, or email us at [email protected].