Mosquito Diseases

West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus has been emerging in the recent years throughout North America.  It is one of the most serious mosquito diseases. The infection, although rare, is called encephalitis which is known as inflammation to the brain.  You may have seen its effect on birds in the news over the past few years, causing entire flocks to die.

La Crosse Encephalitis

This is known as the California strain of encephalitis which is the most frequent strain found in Wisconsin.

Dog Heartworm

Dog Heartworm is caused by roundworm which is a serious disease that threatens all types of dog breeds throughout Wisconsin. This disease can result in death of your dog!  Large quantity of parasitic worms can accumulate in the heart causing the blood flow to be impeded from the heart causing stress on the dogs body.  Most dogs can be given preventative drugs to prevent roundworm from developing.

Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans of the Plasmodium type.  So what does that mean?   Basically in a nutshell, Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting and headaches. In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma or death. The symptoms don’t usually begin until ten to fifteen days after you have been bit.

Yellow Fever

Other names for Yellow Fever include yellow jack or yellow plague. Yellow Fever is transmitted by mosquitoes and is an acute viral disease.  The symptoms in most cases include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains particularly in the back, and headaches. In most people the symptoms typically improve within five days of the bite. In some cases within a day of improving, the fever comes back, abdominal pain occurs, and liver damage begins causing yellow skin.  Complications from the liver being damage include bleeding and kidney damage.