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.
ALERT: 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, visit Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers.
What's New?
- Vector-borne Diseases (VBD) Newsletter
- Mosquito Awareness and Prevention
- 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
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Cases Reported Year-To-Date* |
Total of Cases by Year Reported |
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|
Mosquito-borne Disease |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|
California serogroup viruses (California encephalitis, Jamestown Canyon, Keystone, La Crosse, Snowshoe hare, Trivittatus viruses) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Chikungunya - travel related, acquired out of state |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dengue - travel related, acquired out of state |
10 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
Eastern equine encephalitis |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Malaria - travel related, acquired out of state |
9 |
11 |
7 |
8 |
2 |
9 |
|
St. Louis encephalitis |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
West Nile |
33 |
29 |
5 |
12 |
9 |
5 |
|
Yellow Fever |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0^ |
|
Zika - travel related, acquired out of state |
0^ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
54 |
49 |
17 |
21 |
12 |
18 |
Note: Counts include finalized investigations among Alabama residents as of December 6, 2024.
*As of MMWR Week 49 (week ending on December 7, 2024).
^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 [email protected].
Page last updated: December 6, 2024
