Welcome to AboutBugs.com
Pest Management Priducts Division of CSPA
You are currently viewing an unstyled text-only version of the site.
Western Equine Encephalitis - Found in every state west of the Mississippi River, in southwestern Canada and northwestern Mexico, Western Equine Encephalitis may be increasing because of expanded irrigated agriculture in the North Platte River Valley, which has fostered habitats and conditions favoring mosquitoes that transmit disease. On average, 19 cases have been reported annually by the CDC since 1964.
Culex tarsalis is the most important vector in the West. East of the Mississippi, Culex quinquefasciatus is the suspected vector. Birds are the major host. Causing death in about 3% of cases, epidemics are cyclical, roughly every 10 years. The last, of 41 cases, was in 1987. Symptoms include infections. Severe cases exhibit fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and malaise, followed by weakness and altered mental functioning. Treatment is administered for symptoms as they occur.
California Encephalitis - Most cases are reported in the Midwestern states of Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. Rather than birds, the natural hosts of California Encephalitis are small animals-rabbits, hares, and squirrels. Vectors are mostly woodland mosquitoes of the Aedes genus.
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis - Both humans and horses are susceptible to Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, but unlike the other arboviral encephalitis, victims develop high levels of the virus in the blood. This allows mosquitoes to transmit disease to humans or equines without the intermediate host, birds. Vectors include species of Aedes, Culex and Anopheles.
Dengue Fever - One of the most rapidly expanding diseases in the world, with tens of millions of cases annually in the tropics, dengue fever is a small but significant risk in the United States because the two transmitting mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are found here. The CDC reports 100 to 200 cases in the United States each year. In 1996, 181 cases were reported and 45 diagnosed, according to Texas State health officials. Heavy rains that year brought out swarms of mosquitoes at the Mexican border. Arizona State health officials are preparing for dengue after finding the Aedes aegypti in Tucson.
Sometimes called "breakbone fever," dengue fever's symptoms include high fever, headaches, bodyaches, sore throat and a rash appearing three to four days after symptoms start. The rash may not be visible in persons with darker skin tones. Symptoms lasting five to seven days may be followed by several weeks of fatigue and weakness. More severe cases, in addition to fever and headaches, may show coughing and abdominal pain. Without treatment, fatalities may reach 15%. Treatment is administered for symptoms as they occur.
