In my last article, I covered a few of the most common species of mosquito. But today, I’ve decided to stick close to that same topic. That’s why we’re going to discuss a few Florida mosquito diseases, how they’re transmitted, and what they are.
Florida Mosquito Diseases: Overview
Mosquito-borne diseases are any disease that can be spread through a mosquito bite. These diseases can be caused by a few different sources. For one, the disease can be caused by a virus, also known as arboviruses. Also, they can be caused by parasites. Quite a few of Florida’s mosquito species are capable of transmitting the disease to humans, horses, dogs, cats, or other animals. These symptoms can range from mild to severe.
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is an infectious disease that appeared in the states in 1999. Infected mosquitoes are what transmit the virus that causes it. Usually, affected people start out with no symptoms. But over time, symptoms can grow to include fever, headache, body ache, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. This can usually last from several days to a few weeks but tends to go away on its own.
But, West Nile Virus that reaches the brain can be deadly. It can cause encephalitis or swelling of the brain. Meningitis, swelling of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord, can also be caused by the virus. Children, seniors, and people with compromised immune systems are those who are most at risk.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
EEE is a virus that was first recognized in the eighteen hundreds in horses in Massachusetts. The first human case had been identified much later in New England in 1938. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is present today in all of the Americas, North, South, and Central. It’s also found in the Caribbean. In rare cases, those that contract the virus will develop a serious neuroinvasive disease. Commonly referred to as sleeping sickness, EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is transmitted through a bite from an infected mosquito.
Symptoms of EEE typically show up four to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. These symptoms usually include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, joint pain, and fatigue. In rare cases, infection occurs in the brain and spinal cord, leading to sudden high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, seizures, and coma. The mortality rate of this disease is the highest among arboviruses transmitted in the U.S. at about thirty-three percent. One out of three people who develop Eastern Equine Encephalitis will die, and many survivors have mild to severe brain damage. Once again, seniors and children are the most at risk. And once you contract EEE, there is no human vaccine or anti-viral drugs for its treatment. You simply have to go to the hospital for supportive treatment like IV fluids and hope for the best.
St. Lous Encephalitis (SLEV)
St. Louis encephalitis virus was first recognized in 1933 when an epidemic St. Lous, Missouri, resulted in over 1,000 cases of encephalitis. Several epidemics have occurred sporadically throughout the U.S. since, with the majority occurring in eastern or central states. This virus is transmitted through humans like all others on this list, through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes contract the virus from birds and then pass the virus to humans. Wild birds are the primary hosts of SLEV. Humans are dead-end hosts of the virus, which means that it cannot be spread again after infecting a person. Transmission of the virus occurs in late summer and early fall in most of the United States. But in the south, the disease can be transmitted year-round.
Most people infected with SLEV will show no symptoms, but a few people will end up with the disease. Those who do become ill will experience fever, tiredness, nausea, and headache. Severe infection can result in neck stiffness, disorientation, and possibly coma or death. There is no cure for SLE, and hospitalization will once again be focused on the treatment of symptoms.
Malaria
When it comes to mosquito-borne diseases, Malaria isn’t as talked about anymore. But that’s more due to the massive amount of new diseases and parasites we’ve learned about. Malaria is still very much a threat you should keep in mind when thinking about Florida mosquito diseases.
Malaria, a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite becomes transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have this disease tend to experience high fever and shaking chills. Each year about two hundred and ten MILLION people become infected with malaria, and about four hundred thousand die.
Some people who have malaria experience cycles of “attacks”. Malaria attacks start with shivering and chills and are followed by a high fever, sweating, and an eventual return to normal temperature. These parasites can lie dormant within your body for up to a year, but symptons can start up as soon as a few weeks after being bitten. Talk to your doctor if you start to experience symptoms while in a tropical climate.
Florida Mosquito Diseases: Control and Mosquito Smack!
You always want to stay on top of mosquito control. Make sure to remove any source of standing water from your property. This is the best method of control that any non-professional person can do. Tip-over buckets, old tires, or any container on your property that can collect rainwater after a rainfall. When you’re outside, wear long sleeves, jeans, and boots to avoid bites.
But once an infestation starts there’s not much you can do. That’s why we offer our mosquito smack service.
