Mosquito-borne Diseases: Different Types & Tips to Protect Yourself

We all are aware that mosquitoes are the most dangerous insects in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were an estimated 229 million malaria cases worldwide in 2019. Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria. In 2019 alone, they accounted for 67% (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide. These numbers are scarring.

To reduce your stress, we are here to acquaint you with some mosquito-borne diseases and simple tips to protect yourself and your family from these life-threatening diseases.

The threat of mosquito-borne diseases is far less in the United States than in other warmer parts of the world. However, in recent years, there has been a surge in mosquito-borne diseases. While in Oklahoma, mosquito-borne diseases are a threat starting from spring to fall. That’s the best time to rely on a professional mosquito control service provider in Oklahoma. 

Mosquitos transmit some serious diseases like Zika, Dengue fever, West Nile, and Malaria. While in Oklahoma, the most common disease is the West Nile virus that poses a deadly threat every year. The Zika virus is a rising international threat. Let’s dig more about the West Nile virus.

• West Nile Virus

It’s a reportable disease in Oklahoma and was first identified in the New York area in the summer of 1999. It has been found in some parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The virus was recognized by the deaths of thousands of birds and resulted in encephalitis in humans and horses. In the next few years, the virus reached to a wide geographic range drastically.

In Oklahoma, the virus visits from May to November, you’re likely to get exposed to infected mosquitoes from July to October. It can affect people of any age and develop symptoms like high fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, vision loss, etc.

People over the age of 50 are at a greater risk of experiencing severe illnesses of the nervous system. In Oklahoma’s 7 years of experience with the virus, there are 318 confirmed cases, and about 20 have died from the virus.

Book for a mosquito treatment in Oklahoma City today!

• Zika

This disease causes mild illness that last from several days to a week. Zika outbreaks have occurred in Africa, the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and America seem to be their new hub. It can be spread through mosquito bites, infected pregnant mother to child, blood transfusion, mosquito bites, and sexual contact.

While in America, most Zika cases came from travelers who were returning from infected areas. However, small numbers of locally acquired cases started in 2016 from Texas and Florida. Zika infection during pregnancy can lead to a congenital disability of the brain called microcephaly and autoimmune severe disorder ‘Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).’

Since there is no vaccine to prevent Zika, you need to protect yourself by wearing full-sleeved clothes and use insect repellent like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and lemon eucalyptus oil or para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.

• Dengue

Dengue is the fastest-growing mosquito-borne disease in the world – all of us are aware of it! An infected person can transmit the virus to a healthy person. There are fewer dengue cases in the United States, but they are experienced among border communities like South Texas and are brought by travelers.

Dengue fever isn’t deadly, but dengue hemorrhagic fever can be deadly. This happens when the person is infected by two types of dengue virus.

Call your mosquito control service provider to get rid of mosquito menace.

• Malaria

It’s a reportable disease in Oklahoma that causes flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and likewise. It can be fatal if not detected and treated on time.

There are some types of malaria where the symptoms are likely to repeat after months or years. Malaria is spread by mosquito bites, used needles, infected mother to the baby, etc.

People who have traveled out of the country and have a fever should consult their health provider right away.

These are some of the common mosquito-borne diseases that pose a serious threat to the people of Oklahoma.

As per the Oklahoma State Department of Health guidelines, people are recommended to use insect repellents that contain N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD) or IR 3535 whenever they move out of the house. The mosquito is known to be active during the evening and early morning hours.

People should treat with mosquito larvicide to reduce their breeding grounds. You can also report any stagnant water in your surroundings to the authorities. Moving forward, we will acquaint you with simple tips to control these diseases. If you’ve any of these symptoms, consult a doctor and hire a mosquito control service provider right away!

Some of the common symptoms in the above diseases include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body Aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Joint pain
• Rashes
• Convulsions
• Coma
• Paralysis (especially in West Nile disease where you experience paralysis of facial muscles)

There are incubation and contagious periods in each of the diseases. Both the West Nile and Zika virus take 2 to 14 days. Zika virus is contagious and can be transmitted from person to person and can be detected in the person’s blood, saliva, urine, and semen for a couple of weeks.

To prevent these diseases, you need to take all preventive measures against mosquito bites like the following:

Tips to Control Mosquito-borne Diseases: 

1. Always wear mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE or PMD). Lemon eucalyptus oil isn’t formulated as a repellent, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

2. Always wear light-colored and lightweight clothes, with long sleeves and pants. Spray your clothes with insect repellent when moving outdoors before applying; always read the product instructions carefully.

3. Always report water gathered near your premises to the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD). It’s the best way to destroy their breeding grounds. You can even treat it with larvicide if you can’t drain out the water.

4. Get rid of any still water inside your home like flower pots, trash cans, coolers, gutters, swimming pool covers, pet water bowls, birdbaths, etc. Also, cover all your barrels with a screen.

5. Refrain from being outside at dusk or dawn because they’re active during this time. Never forget to wear repellent on your exposed skin and clothes.

6. Avoid using scented lotions or perfumes as they attract mosquitos.

7. Ensure you clean all your clogged gutters and repair all leaky plumbing fixtures, both outdoor and indoor.

8. Never dump your yard waste like grass and cut plants into your drainage or storm drains.

9. Close all your doors and windows, particularly in the morning and evening.

10. Take precautions against mosquito bites while traveling out of the country. Do your research and don’t compromise on taking a handy mosquito repellent spray, cream, and net.

11. Contact the professional at Champion Pest and Lawn and stay safe from mosquito bites throughout the year.

Champion Pest and Lawn provides mosquito treatment in Oklahoma City metro, Edmond, El Reno, Yukon, etc. Get residential and commercial pest control services from mosquitos and other stinging pests. We are the best in the pest control industry and provide 100% safe and effective pest solutions.