Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases are spread to people and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. These infections cannot be passed from person-to-person.

There are usually more cases of mosquito-borne diseases where the weather is warmer. Mosquitoes start biting in the spring once the temperature at night is over 60° Fahrenheit (F) or 15.6° Celsius (C). They will stay active until the first big frost in autumn.

The mosquito-borne viral diseases that may be seen in the Unites States are:

If you travel outside of the United States, there are other mosquito-born diseases you should be aware of. These include yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and dengue.

Signs and Symptoms

• Most children who get one it can affect the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. This can cause confusion, seizures, paralysis, coma, or death.
  • When the brain is inflamed, it is called encephalitis.
  • Infection of the membranes (meninges) of the brain and spinal cord is called meningitis.

Treatment

• Treatment is usually not needed for mosquito bites.
• There are no vaccines or medicines that protect against these diseases.
• In severe cases, a hospital stay may be needed for supportive care.

Prevention

Prevention is the best way to stay safe against mosquito-borne diseases.

Bug spray (insect repellant)

• Wear Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellant. Make sure it has one of the following ingredients:  DEET, IR3535, Picaridin, 2-undercanone, para-methane-diol (PMD), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE).
• Do not use bug spray on children under 2 months of age. Instead, you can put clothes on them that cover their arms and legs. Cover their stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
• Do not use products with OLE or PMD on children under 3 years of age.
• Do not use a product that combines repellant with sunscreen.
• You can find which bug spray is best for your family by visiting the EPA's website:  https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you

How to use insect repellant

• Apply to your hands, then rub it on your child (Picture 1). 
  • Do not apply to your child's face, eyes, mouth, hands, cuts, or irritated skin.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that DEET should only be applied 1 time per day.
• Avoid your child's eyes and mouth. Use lightly on the ears.
• Do not apply under clothing. If repellant gets on clothing, wash the clothes with detergent and water before they're worn again.
• Keep repellant out of the reach of children and pets.
• After going back inside, wash your child's skin where repellant was applied, or have them take a bath. Wash their clothes with detergent and water.

Outdoor areas

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants during the early evening and in areas with a lot of mosquitos. 
• When camping outdoors, sleep under mosquito netting.
• Do not leave standing water around your home (Picture 2). These are breeding grounds for mosquitos. Remove old, unused tires, buckets, and empty cans that can hold water.
• If you can, keep your child inside during the early evening and at dawn. This is when mosquitoes are most active.

Indoor areas

• Keep your windows and doors shut if possible. If you open your windows, use, repair, or install window screens. Screens help keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Just like outside, don't keep standing water around in your home. Empty vases and flowerpots that have extra water in them.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your child's doctor or health care provider right away if they have any of these symptoms:

When to Call 911

Call 911 for emergency help if your child:

• Is not breathing or cannot respond to you.
• Has a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases (PDF)

HH-I-297 • ©2009, revised 2022 • Nationwide Children's Hospital