Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Increasing in the US Cases triple; better tools needed to fight mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas
Illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016. Nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered or introduced into the United States during this time.
This is CDC’s first summary collectively examining data trends for all nationally notifiable diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea. It provides detailed information on the growing burden of mosquito-borne and tickborne illnesses in the U.S.
“Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—a growing list of diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea—have confronted the U.S. in recent years, making a lot of people sick. And we don’t know what will threaten Americans next,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “Our Nation’s first lines of defense are state and local health departments and vector control organizations, and we must continue to enhance our investment in their ability to fight against these diseases.”
Widespread and difficult to control, diseases from mosquito, tick, and flea bites are major causes of sickness and death worldwide. The growing number and spread of these diseases pose an increasing risk in the U.S. The report found that the nation needs to be better prepared to face this public health threat.
CDC scientists analyzed data reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System for 16 notifiable vector-borne diseases from 2004 through 2016 to identify trends. Many infections are not reported or recognized, so it is difficult to truly estimate the overall cost and burden of these diseases. In 2016, the most common tickborne diseases in the U.S. were Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. The most common mosquito-borne viruses were West Nile, dengue, and Zika. Though rare, plague was the most common disease resulting from the bite of an infected flea.
The increase in diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea in the U.S. is likely due to many factors. Mosquitoes and ticks and the germs they spread are increasing in number and moving into new areas. As a result, more people are at risk for infection. Overseas travel and commerce are more common than ever before. A traveler can be infected with a mosquito-borne disease, like Zika, in one country, and then unknowingly transport it home. Finally, new germs spread by mosquito and tick bites have been discovered and the list of nationally notifiable diseases has grown.
“The data show that we’re seeing a steady increase and spread of tickborne diseases, and an accelerating trend of mosquito-borne diseases introduced from other parts of the world,” said Lyle Petersen, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. “We need to support state and local health agencies responsible for detecting and responding to these diseases and controlling the mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread them.”
State and local public health agencies can
Build and sustain public health programs that test and track germs and the mosquitoes and ticks that spread them.
Train vector control staff on 5 core competencies for conducting prevention and control activities.
Educate the public about how to prevent bites and control germs spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas in their communities
Diseases from mosquito and tick bites occur in every state and territory. Recent outbreaks of Zika, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses and the steady increase in Lyme disease cases point to the need for state and local agencies to have comprehensive vector-borne disease prevention and control programs. The US needs better tools and more staff with greater expertise at local and state levels to reduce the growing threat of these diseases in the US.
What is the federal government doing to address this problem?
Funding states, territories, industry, university, and international groups to detect and respond to infections from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas and report cases to CDC.
Convening a Tick-Borne Disease Working Group established by the 21st Century Cures Act to improve federal coordination of tickborne disease efforts.
Supporting 5 regional centers of excellence to address emerging diseases from mosquitoes and ticks.
Conducting and developing diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments for these diseases.
Educating the public about protecting themselves from diseases resulting from an infective mosquito, tick, or flea bite.
What can State and local government agencies do?
Build and sustain public health programs that test and track germs and the mosquitoes and ticks that spread them.
Train vector control staff on 5 core competencies for conducting prevention and control activities.
Educate the public about how to prevent bites and control germs spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas in their communities.
What can Universities and companies do?
Study mosquitoes and ticks to better understand how to control them.
Develop new or better methods and products to kill mosquitoes and ticks at each stage of life.
Discover or improve tests for diagnosing new and known diseases from infective mosquito and tick bites.
Create and sustain information-sharing networks.
Train the next generation of entomologists and vector control professionals.
What can the gernal public do?
Use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Treat items, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents, with permethrin or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
Take steps to control ticks and fleas on pets.
Find and remove ticks daily from family and pets.
Take steps to control mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas inside and outside your home.