Everyone—in the United States and around the world—is vulnerable to diseases spread by infected insects like mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, also called vectors. Vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors. Increasing global travel and urbanization are contributing to vector-borne disease outbreaks in new regions and countries.
Some vector-borne diseases, like plague, have been around for thousands of years. Others, like Heartland virus disease and Bourbon virus disease, have been discovered recently. The most common vector-borne disease in the United States is Lyme disease, which is transmitted by blacklegged ticks and is estimated to cause more than 400,000 new cases each year (source: Data and Surveillance | Lyme Disease | CDC)
Vector-Borne Illnesses
This list is not all inclusive. Expand on each vector to see the diseases they transmit.
Mosquito
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
Did you encounter a tick?
If you're a DOD beneficiary, submit the tick to MilTICK for free identification and testing.
Other protective measures:
- 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.
You also may be interested in...
Article Around MHS
6/9/2023
As summer travel picks up for many military families, due to vacations or a scheduled permanent change of station, or PCS, move, there is one passenger you don’t want hitching a ride with you or your family - bed bugs! Our DOD expert has some travel tips to prevent vacation infestation.
Infographic
6/9/2023
When it comes to insect-borne disease, prevention is critical for force health, mission readiness, and lethality! Unfortunately, these critters can take a mean bite out of our health and wallet.
Article
6/6/2023
Bug Week kicks off with Bugapalooza to educate you on the good and bad in bugs and how some can transmit diseases.
Calendar Event
6/5/2023
This summer, we're celebrating Bug Week from June 10 through 17 to educate you about bug-borne illnesses you may encounter at home and at forward-deployed operational sites.
Mark your calendars! We ANT-icipate a really great time!!!
Calendar Event
6/2/2023
Dr. Maria A Gonzales-Morales, Entomologist, DCPH-A, will discuss how to approach bed bug infestations, alleviate the social stigma associated with them and raise awareness of the hardest pest to eradicate in the US.
Video
6/2/2023
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center celebrates Bug Week with an informational video about prevention of Vector-borne illnesses. Bug Week is a time to inform and learn about vector-borne illnesses and ways to prevent them. (DOD video by Ricardo J. Reyes)
Infographic
6/1/2023
Bed bugs are coming and this hitchhiker wants your blood!
Video
5/23/2023
Prevention is key for protecting you and your pets from the diseases that fleas carry. Learn the tips and tricks to keep the fleas away. Visit www.health.mil/bugs for more information.
Video
5/23/2023
Mosquitos are small but mighty bugs that are responsible for about 750,000 deaths a year. Learn how to protect yourself from mosquitos this summer. Visit www.health.mil/bugs for more information.
Video
5/23/2023
Warm weather means more outdoor time and more ticks. Learn what simple steps you can take to protect yourself from ticks while you're outside and when you get home. Visit www.health.mil/bugs for more information.
Article Around MHS
4/11/2023
Navy Entomology Center of Excellence staff trained and equipped active duty preventive medicine and civilian pest control personnel representing U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army during the largest inter-agency pesticide certification course delivered in nearly five years on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, Jan. 23.
Article Around MHS
3/30/2023
A cure for a debilitating and sometimes deadly disease, new treatments for working military dogs, a snakebite antidote, and a treatment for respiratory disease! See how years of research collaborations are providing protections for warfighters in remote places like never before.
Article
3/22/2023
In support of the Military Health System, the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 is just one global entity that works with local partners to identify and combat global health threats.
Article
3/1/2023
Notice of emerging tick-borne pathogen detected in January 2023 by the Vector-Borne Disease (VBD) Branch of the Defense Center Public Health-Aberdeen (DCPH-A)
Article
3/1/2023
This article provides an annual update of rates and incident infections of malaria species among U.S. service members.
Page 1 of 3
, showing items 1 - 15