Spraying insect repellent on an arm
Spraying insect repellent on an arm

Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods

Introduction
Vector-borne diseases are found at almost every travel destination. Because few vaccines are available to protect travelers, the best way to prevent vector-borne diseases is to avoid being bitten by ticks and insects, including mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers, and flies, that transmit pathogens that cause disease. Travel medicine specialists should advise travelers to use repellents and take other precautions to prevent bites.

Elevation and arboviral disease risk
Mosquito-borne diseases are most often reported from tropical and subtropical areas, with risk declining as elevation increases. However, some vector species of mosquitoes are established at high elevations. West Nile and Usutu viruses were reported to be circulating in wildlife sentinel animals in the Italian Alps in 2005; however, no human cases were detected. Japanese encephalitis virus infections were detected in mosquitoes, pigs, and humans in Tibet, China, in the Nyingchi District at elevation 3,100 m (10,170 ft).

Continue reading to learn more, written by the CDC.

Media Mentions

It all starts with Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L, the best and most reliable filter-bladder combo and the core of my backpacking water storage and filtration system.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Media Mentions

Our top water filter for thru hiking, the Sawyer Squeeze, is 15% off.

Naomi Hudetz
Chief Operating Officer & Online Editor

Media Mentions

People with alpha-gal syndrome show allergic symptoms such as rash, nausea and vomiting after eating such meat.

Stephanie Soucheray
Reporter