FrequentlyAsked
Questions
KnowtheSymptomsof
MosquitoBorneIllnesses
WhatareMosquitoBorneDiseases?
They are diseases spread by mosquitoes.
Often, they are referred to as arboviruses.
The four of most concern are: West Nile
Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Lacrosse
Encephalitisand,mostrecently,chikungunya.
Most bites do not cause infection.
However,ifyouarebittenandinfected
it may take 3‐15 days to develop
symptoms,dependingontheillness.If
you become ill, see a doctor
immediately. WhatisEncephalitis?
Encephalitisisin lammationofthebrain.
Whoisatrisk?
People at risk include: individuals over 50,
young children and individuals with
weakenedimmunesystems.
Howaretheytransmitted?
West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine
Encephalitis are transmitted from bird to
mosquitotohumans.Lacrosseistransmitted
from small mammals to mosquitos to
humans. Chikungunya is transmitted from
human to human by mosquito bite. In very
rare cases these diseases can be transmitted
throughbloodtransfusions,organtransplants
andbreastfeeding.
Typical&EarlySymptoms:
Flu‐like symptoms (fever, muscle
aches, joint pains, nausea, vomiting
andetc.)
 Soreand/orstiffneck
 Sensitivetolightandsound
 Extremetiredness
 Rash
 Numbnessortingling
Severe&LateSymptoms:
 Severeheadache
 Confusion
 Disorientation
 Tremors
 Seizures
 Paralysis
 Coma
 Long‐termdisability
 Death
Reference:ControlofCommunicable
DiseaseManual17thedition
Foradditionalinformation
onmosquitoes,the
diseasestheycarryand
mosquitocontrol
contact:
Prevent
Mosquito
Borne
Illnesses

FrequentlyAskedQuestions

KnowtheSymptoms

MosquitoLifeCycle

PreventionandProtection

AdditionalResources
EnvironmentalHealth
349NorthCenterStreet
Statesville,NC28677
Phone:(704)878‐5305
Open:Mon.‐Fri.8:00am‐5:00pm
OrvisittheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgency(EPA)websiteat:
http://www2.epa.gov/
mosquitocontrol
Iredell County does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
religion,ageordisabilityinemploymentorthe
provisionofservices.
Created: August 2014 TheLifeCycleofa
Mosquito
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Femalemosquitoslivefrom2‐4days
whilethemaleslive3‐4days.
ONLYthefemalebites.
The females need blood to produce
theireggs.
Afemalecanproduceupto250eggs
fromonemeal.
Once the eggs hatch they become
larva.
Thelarvawillbecomeapupa.
The pupa changes into a lying adult
mosquito.
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MosquitoPrevention:
MosquitoPrevention:
EliminateStandingWater
PersonalProtection
Replace the water in pet dishes
and lower pots every couple of
days.
Screenorcoverrainbarrels.
Throw away or recycle old
bottlesandcans.
Clean leaf‐clogged gutters and
keepingoodrepair.
Repairleakyfaucets.
Clean overgrown ponds and
stockwith ish.
Empty kiddy pools or replace
watereverycoupleofdays.
Keep empty buckets upside
downorstorethemindoors.
Removetreestumps.
Discard old tires or store them
indoors.
Use “Mosquito Dunks” in
swimming pools, water gardens
andbirdbaths.
 Avoid times when there are more
mosquitoes, like early morning or
evening, because mosquitoes
prefershadedareas.
 Some mosquitoes may bite during
theday.
 Keep screens on doors and
windows.
 Donotrelyonelectronicbugkillers
asyouronlyprotection.
 Avoid scented shampoos and
perfumesorcolognes.
 Turn off mosquito attracting lights
and use luorescent light bulbs
instead.
 Wearlightcolored(mosquitoesare
attractedtodarkcolors)protective
clothing including long sleeves,
pants,socksandshoes.
RepellentInformation:
DEET
 Do not apply to infants under 2
monthsofage.
 Donotuseaproductcontainingmore
than30%DEETonchildren.
 Applyrepellentsonlytoexposedskin
and or clothing. Do not use on skin
underclothing.Neveruserepellents
overcuts,woundsorirritatedskin.
 Donotapplytoeyesormouth.Apply
sparinglyaroundears.
 Donotspraydirectlyontoface;spray
onhands irstthenapplytoface.
 Do not allow children to handle
repellentsanddonotapplyittoyour
children’shands.Applytoyourown
handsandthenputitonthechild.
 After returning indoors, wash
exposed skin with soap and water.
Also, wash treated clothing before
wearingitagain.
 Pregnantwomenorwomenplanning
a pregnancy should minimize
exposuretochemicalslikeDEET.
 Donotapplytoanimals.
For DEET recommendations, visit:
http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/
diseases/deet.html