Mosquito Borne Diseases

There has been a lot of public concern and confusion about mosquitoes and AIDS. Scientific studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have shown that mosquitoes DO NOT transmit AIDS. For more information, here is an article from Nature.com about why mosquitoes cannot transmit AIDS.

In California, mosquitoes are monitored and controlled primarily for public health reasons, such as West Nile Virus, malaria, encephalitis, dog heartworm and sensitivity to bites. Some mosquitoes are also controlled because of their annoying habits.

With the exception of recent West Nile Virus cases, human mosquito-borne diseases have declined significantly in California since the creation of mosquito and vector control agencies. Residents should be aware that West Nile Virus, dog heartworm and encephalitis viruses are still present in Napa County.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is the number one mosquito transmitted disease in the United States. The disease is caused by a mosquito transmitted virus.

Malaria

Disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium

Encephalitis

Technically, encephalitis means swelling of the brain. Many things including a bite from a mosquito infected with the encephalitis virus can cause this serious disease. Clinical symptoms of mosquito-transmitted encephalitis vary from mild cases showing little or no symptoms to more severe infections, which show fever, headache, convulsions and coma. Most people infected with the virus show little…

Dog Heartworm Disease

Dog Heartworm Disease is a clinical condition in dogs caused by a roundworm, Dirofilaria immitis, which resides within the dog’s heart and lungs. This disease, a serious and possibly fatal veterinary problem, is associated with dogs, coyotes and foxes. Canine Heartworm is transmitted by the bite of an infected Western Treehole Mosquito.

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