Here at Terminix Anderson, we understand how distressing things are right now during the global pandemic that is COVID-19. With a dedication to the health and safety of our communities in Illinois and Indiana, we are keeping up-to-date with all of the new information released about this virus daily. We know there is a lot of misinformation about this virus, and that people are concerned about how it is spread. Coronavirus is contagious, but to date, is not transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks. These two vector pests certainly play a role in the transmission of some of the world’s worst diseases, but COVID-19 is not one of them. With information from the CDC, we’ve compiled information on vector-borne diseases in this blog post.
Coronavirus vs. Vector-Borne Diseases
Thankfully, there is currently no evidence to suggest that mosquitoes or ticks transmit COVID-19. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that is passed from person to person and is very contagious. Droplets from saliva or nasal discharge are often the cause of transmission, often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Studies show that it can be spread through contaminated surfaces, and it is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. Diseases that are caused and spread by mosquitoes and ticks are of an entirely different nature than this current virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors”.
Deadly Diseases from Mosquitoes and Ticks
Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are considered vectors for several serious infectious diseases. Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. Mosquitoes and ticks are vectors for the following diseases:
- Malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more are just a few of the dangerous diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
- Lyme disease, which is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the nation, is spread by ticks.
- If these vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that can infect other hosts it subsequently bites.
We Are Here For You
Even though mosquitoes do not transmit coronavirus, they can still be dangerous. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. Terminix Anderson will continue to provide essential pest control services to our communities during these uncertain times.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we want to encourage our customers to seek more up-to-date info and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC, as well as your state and local public health agencies.
