Diseases Carried by Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism -- over one million people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, they also transmit several diseases and parasites to dogs and horses. These include dog heartworm, West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis. In addition, bites can cause severe skin irritation through allergic reaction to the mosquito's saliva - this is what causes the red bump and itching. Mosquito carried diseases include protozoan diseases (malaria), filarial diseases (heartworm) and viruses (dengue, encephalitis and yellow fever).

Partial List from the CDC

Arboviral Encephalitides
Mosquito-transmitted viral diseases causing brain inflammation/encephalitis. Includes information on the diseases and their mosquito vector species

• Eastern equine encephalitis

• Japanese encephalitis

• La Crosse encephalitis

• St. Louis encephalitis

• West Nile virus

• Western equine encephalitis

Dengue Fever

Malaria

Rift Valley Fever

Yellow Fever

More Information

There is good information available from the Centers for Disease Control Division of Vector Borne Diseases regarding WNV.

West Nile Virus Quick Facts from the Indiana State Department of Health
The Indiana State Department of Health Vector Control Section
Arborviral Diseases of Indiana
WNV Surveillance and Mosquito Control of Indiana