Vector-Borne diseases result from an infection transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
In the mid-Atlantic region, Lyme Disease transmitted by tick bites is a major concern. In fact, Maryland has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the U.S. Since 1993, Maryland’s cases of Lyme disease reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have increased by more than 650 percent! Learn more about preventing and treating Lyme Disease here.
Following is some basic information about some of the more common vector-borne diseases you could encounter in the eastern United States. You may need to consult further sources for additional information depending on the risks associated with your work and the location(s) where you plan to work. There are other vector-borne diseases that are more common in tropical climates, like malaria and yellow fever.
Location: United States, Europe, and Asia
Exposure Route: Infection through the bite of an infected tick
Symptoms: Spreading rash (Bull’s eye); early: flu-like symptoms; later: arthritis and neurologic symptoms
First Aid: See a physician if you suspect Lyme Disease
Prevention: Avoid tick-infested areas; wear long pants and long sleeved shirts; use a repellent; treat clothing with permethrin; check clothing, body, and hair for ticks at the end of each work day; tuck pants into socks.
Location: United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America
Exposure Route: Infection through the bite of an infected tick
Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle pain, spotty rash
First Aid: Consult a physician if you suspect Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Prevention: Avoid tick-infested areas; wear long pants and long sleeved shirts; use a repellent; treat clothing with permethrin; check clothing, body, and hair for ticks at the end of each work day; tuck pants into socks
Location: North and South America (St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus)
Exposure Route: Infection from bit of an infected mosquito
Symptoms: Range from mild to severe; mild: fever and headache; severe: headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and very occasionally, death.
First Aid: Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect encephalitis.
Prevention: Use repellents; wear long pants and long sleeved shirts; avoid being bit by mosquitos; avoid areas of standing water where mosquitos breed
Location: Worldwide (particularly Central America, South America, SE Asia, & southern United States
Exposure Route: Infection through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus; sexual contact with an infected person
Symptoms: Many people have no or only mild symptoms (rash, fever, joint pain, red eyes); Zika is linked to severe birth defects
First Aid: Treat symptomatically; consult a physician if you suspect you have (or had) Zika
Prevention: Use repellents; wear long pants and long sleeved shirts; avoid being bit by mosquitos; avoid areas of standing water where mosquitos breed; consult recent CDC advisories
Location: Worldwide
Exposure Route: Infection from bite of lice, fleas, ticks, or mites
Symptoms: Headache, fever, rash
First Aid: See a doctor if you suspect typhus fever; treatable with antibiotics
Prevention: Wear insect repellents; wear long sleeved shirts and long pants; tuck pants into boots
Location: Worldwide
Exposure Route: Infection from the bite of a mosquito carrier
Symptoms: Fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash
First Aid: Treat symptomatically
Prevention: Use repellents; wear long pants and sleeves; treat clothing with permethrin; avoid mosquito bites; avoid areas of standing water where mosquitos breed