Nearly everyone has been bitten by a mosquito, tick, or flea—vectors that spread disease-causing pathogens. Vector-borne diseases pose a major public health challenge, influenced by climate, environment, and human behavior. Warmer temperatures and humidity boost tick survival, while hot, dry weather increases viral replication in mosquitoes, both raising the risk of disease transmission.
Lyme disease (spread by ticks), spotted fever group rickettsioses (spread by ticks), and West Nile Virus (spread by mosquitos) are the three most reported vector-borne diseases in Illinois.
Learn more about tick-borne diseases, mosquito-borne diseases, and explore a full list of vector-borne diseases and conditions.
Transmission
The bite of an infected mosquito or tick transmits vector-borne diseases to humans. Blood transfusion, organ or tissue transplant, and laboratory exposure are other possible modes of transmission. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during or shortly after birth.
Prevention
Preventing tick and mosquito bites is the greatest approach to avoid contracting vector-borne diseases.
Mosquito Bite Prevention
Apply Insect Repellent
- Use EPA-registered repellents containing 20% to 50% DEET on adults. Acceptable alternative repellents contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow label directions.
- On children, use a child-friendly EPA-registered insect repellent containing 20 % to 30% DEET.
- Do not use repellent on babies younger than two months old.
- Do not use repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than three years old.
- Find specific tips on how to apply insect repellent.
Drain Standing Water
Don’t allow mosquitoes to breed!
- Check the outside of your home and get rid of any items that may hold water, such as old tires, flower pots, buckets, or bottles
- Empty plastic wading pools twice weekly. Store inside when not in use.
- Store boats covered or upside down.
- Water bowls for pets should be emptied and refilled daily.
Repair Torn Screens
- Be sure screens in homes are in good repair and tight-fitting without gaps.
Beware During Dusk & Dawn
- Limit time outdoors when mosquito activity is heaviest (dusk to dawn).
Tick Bite Prevention
- Know where to expect ticks. Ticks
live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending
time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could
bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their
own yard or neighborhood.
- Treat clothing and gear with
products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat
boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several
washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and
gear.
- Avoid contact with ticks. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA's helpful search tool
can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow
product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on
children under 3 years old. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect
repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and
breastfeeding women. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
For more information, visit: CDC: Fight the Bite! Prevent Mosquito and Tick Bites
Information for Healthcare Providers
Health care professionals suspecting a vector-borne diseases in their patients should contact the Kane County Health Department to discuss consideration of confirmation testing at IDPH or CDC. In addition to full patient demographic information and clinical information, travel history (with departure and return dates), as well as exposure history should be reported.
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