Vector Control
Phone: 315-786-3730
Fax: 315-779-8607
Mosquitoes and Disease
Mosquitoes usually are considered a nuisance pest, but occasionally they can transmit viruses to people and some animals. These viruses can cause illness and even death. While your chances of being infected with a disease through a mosquito bite are very small, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten.
West Nile virus (WNV) is also transmitted to humans and some animals through the bite of an infected mosquito (they become infected when they feed on infected birds). West Nile virus was first found in New York State in 1999. In humans, WNV can cause mild illness, but it may also cause severe illness including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain & spinal cord). WNV is considered endemic (native) in NYS and is usually found in at least one area of the state every summer.
Chances of becoming severely ill are small, but are higher for those over the age of 50. Most people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms. About 20% of people who become infected will develop mild illness including fever, headache & body aches, nausea and sometimes a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. These symptoms usually last a few days, but may last several weeks. Symptoms of severe infection can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis and coma. Those with symptoms will usually experience symptoms from 3-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
More information on WNV disease can be found on NYSDOH WNV webpage.
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE, "triple E") is very rare but serious. Mosquitoes infected with EEE virus (EEEV) can infect people, horses and other mammals, some birds, reptiles and amphibians. About 5-10 EEE human cases are reported each year in the U.S. Five cases of EEE in people in New York State have been reported since 1971. These cases were reported in 1971, 1983, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and occurred in Oswego and Onondaga counties. All five cases died. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September. People at the greatest risk of developing severe disease are those over 50 years of age and younger than 15 years of age.
New York State Department of Health collects & analyzes information on mosquito-borne disease activity throughout the state and issues a weekly report on these findings. The Statewide Mosquito-borne Disease Activity Reports are posted on their webpage here.
Mosquito-borne diseases and Animals
8/26/24: NYS Agriculture Department urges horse owners to vaccinate their horses against EEE and WNV.
Vectors are mosquitoes or ticks that can spread pathogens (germs) through their bite. Protecting yourself from mosquito bites and tick bites will help lower your risk of getting a vector-borne disease; such as Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) or West Nile Virus (WNV).
Prevent mosquito bites:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin
- Treat clothing and gear (boots, camping gear, etc.) with 0.5% permethrin to kill mosquitoes
- Cover skin with long sleeved shirts & pants
- Control mosquitoes indoors and outside
- use screens on windows & doors to keep mosquitoes out
- empty standing water around your home (in old tires, planters, pools, trash cans, etc.)
Prevent tick bites:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin
- Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to cover your skin. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting onto your skin.
- Treat clothing and gear (boots, camping gear, etc.) with 0.5% permethrin to kill ticks
- Shower after coming indoors to remove any unattached ticks
- Do a daily tick check. If there is an attached tick, you want to find it quickly and remove it right away - before it transmits infection
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Additional Information
Factsheet: What to do after a tick bite
TickEncounter: The University of Rhode Island
Upstate Tick Testing Laboratory
