Are mosquitoborne diseases treatable? There are no medications to treat that are spread by mosquitoes. Instead, the symptoms are treated with supportive care. People with mild illness typically recover A Culex tarsalis on their own. Those with severe nervous as it is about to begin system illness may need to be hospitalized feeding and nerve damage and death may occur. How can I protect myself from a mosquitoborne disease? • Know that July through September is the highest risk of mosquitoborne disease in Minnesota - West Nile disease – dawn and dusk for Culex tarsalis mosquitoes hat is a mosquitoborne - La Crosse – daytime What symptoms should I watch for? for triseriatus mosquitoes Most people who become infected with disease? • Use repellents a mosquitoborne disease won’t have any People can get a mosquitoborne - Use DEET-based repellents (up Wdisease when they are bitten by a mosquito symptoms at all or just a mild illness. Symptoms to 30%) on skin or clothing that is infected with a disease agent. In usually show up suddenly within 1-2 weeks of Minnesota, there are about fifty different being bitten by an infected mosquito. A small types of mosquitoes. Only a few species are percentage of people will develop serious nervous system illness such as encephalitis Look for this label capable of spreading disease to humans. For on your repellent example, Culex tarsalis is the main mosquito or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or to know how long that spreads to Minnesotans. surrounding tissues). Watch for symptoms like: it will work. La Crosse virus is spread to humans by the • Fever tree hole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus. • • Stiff neck - Pre-treat clothing and gear with What diseases can I get from • Rash permethrin-based repellents mosquitoes in Minnesota? • Disorientation or - Can also use repellents with other ingredients: picaridin, IR3535, • West Nile virus disease How are mosquitoborne diseases and oil of lemon eucalyptus • diagnosed? - Only use products that are • Jamestown Canyon virus disease If you think that you could have a registered by the Environmental • Western equine encephalitis mosquitoborne disease, you should contact Protection Agency (EPA) • Eastern equine encephalitis your doctor immediately. The doctor can • Wear loose fitting, long determine if you have a mosquitoborne sleeved shirts and pants disease based on your history, symptoms, and tests using blood or spinal fluid. How can I protect my environment Fun facts about mosquitoes! from mosquitoes? This mosquito is widespread • Empty standing water from around throughout much of Minnesota your home at least once a week and can spread West Nile virus to prevent mosquitoes from using and Western equine encephalitis. containers as breeding sites Culex It is typically found near wetlands, - Tires, buckets, flower pots/saucers, pet drainage ditches, and other areas bowls, bird baths, and kiddie pools tarsalis of standing water in the western - Check gutters and remove agricultural areas of the state. leaves frequently - Tighten up loose tarps All mosquitoes need water to - Tightly cover water storage complete their development. Some Mosquitoborne containers (e.g., rain barrels) species lay single eggs at the edge - Fill water-holding tree holes of a water surface while other Diseases with dirt or sand Culex species lay “rafts” of dozens of eggs • Keep mosquitoes out of your home eggs on top of the water. - Install and/or repair screens on windows and doors After hatching from an egg, the of Minnesota How can I protect myself mosquito goes through larval and pupal stages before developing from mosquitoborne into a flying mosquito. You may see diseases when traveling? Culex these stages as they wriggle in the Minnesota residents who travel to southern larvae water and come to the surface to states or other countries may be at risk for breathe. mosquitoborne diseases like malaria, dengue, This species is a concern in , virus, and . Minnesota because it can spread La Before you travel, consult with your doctor or Crosse virus, a disease that mainly visit a travel health clinic and check for any travel affects children. It is widespread in advisories that may affect you. Medications used Aedes southern Minnesota but only found to prevent are available for malaria triseriatus in or near wooded areas. and a is available for yellow fever. Protect yourself from mosquito bites while This mosquito species is VECTORBORNE DISEASES UNIT traveling by using mosquito repellent, staying Minnesota’s most common pest 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414 in screened or air conditio ned rooms, and but does not commonly spread www.health.state.mn.us sleeping under a bed net if the bedroom disease. It is a vicious biter and is directly exposed to the outdoors. most annoying at dusk in early Aedes summer. Like other mosquito vexans species, only adult female mosquitoes take a bite.

*images not to scale 3/2017