Disease Program

Mosquito borne diseases are diseases that can be transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.  In Suffolk, West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are the two most common types.

• West Nile Virus (WNV)
  A mosquito borne virus can cause encephalitis (brain inflammation) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms include: fever, headache, body aches, stiff neck, swollen glands, skin rash, and mental confusion.  Symptoms generally appear in 3 to 6 days.  Children and people over age 50 have a greater risk of severe illness.
  
  
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
  A mosquito borne virus can cause encephalitis (brain inflammation).  Symptoms include: mild flu-like illness, fever, headache, sore throat, stiff neck, seizures, and coma.  Symptoms generally appear in 4 to 10 days.  Children and people over age 55 have a greater risk of severe illness.
  
  
• Protect you and your family by following the tips in this pamphlet to decrease mosquito breeding sites and avoid and repel mosquitoes.