Infections Spread by Mosquitoes Are on the Rise
Mosquito-borne illnesses are surging in some areas of the country. Outbreaks of West Nile virus have appeared in New York City, Orange County, California, and Atlanta. In New York City, cases of West Nile virus have already surpassed those reported in all of 2025. Of the 30 reported infections, 24 were West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a severe, life-threatening complication of the virus that impacts the central nervous system.
Even rare mosquito-borne illnesses are increasing. To date, Florida has reported 152 cases of locally acquired dengue, including 41 cases the week ending September 12 alone. The state typically sees only a few cases of locally acquired dengue each year.
While still rare, outbreaks of EEE in the Northeast have become more common. The geographic region impacted by EEE in the United States is also growing.
How Mosquitoes Threaten Your Health
Bites can be uncomfortable, leading to intense itching. “A mosquito bite causing a localized itchy, red, or swollen reaction is a result of varying sensitivity of people to chemicals in the mosquito saliva,” Kumar says. “Scratching makes the itching worse by irritating the skin and promoting inflammation.”
Scratching a mosquito bite can also break the skin barrier, allowing germs to enter the body more easily and increasing the risk of disease, Kumar notes.
Symptoms of mosquito-borne illness can vary, but they often include:
- Fever
- Aches and pains
- Nausea
- Rash
Although uncommon, these infections can become neuroinvasive, meaning impacting the brain. Warning signs of neuroinvasive disease include:
- Disorientation
- Seizures
- Neck stiffness
People who work outdoors, children, older adults, and those who are immune compromised are at the highest risk for severe complications from mosquito-borne illnesses, Gray says. “However, as COVID-19 taught us, everyone reacts differently to viruses.”
Not all mosquito-borne infections cause symptoms immediately after a bite. West Nile, for instance, can take up to two weeks to show signs. But if you develop symptoms of a mosquito-borne illness and were recently outdoors or in an area where these infections are common, experts say it’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional.
How to Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes Late Into the Season
Personal protection and home yard management are important to protect against mosquitoes at this point in the year, according to Gray.
Cover Your Skin and Use Mosquito Repellent
“Skin that is not covered should be treated with an EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]-approved repellent when exposed to mosquito populations,” he says.
Gray notes that, in addition to DEET, there are several botanically based, EPA-approved options, including oil of lemon eucalyptus and catmint oil, that are effective at preventing mosquito bites.
“If you’ll be exposed to significant populations or have been warned about possible disease transmission threats, then higher concentrations of DEET, IR3535, or picaridin may be in order,” Gray says. He also suggests wearing light-colored, loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce the amount of exposed skin that mosquitoes could bite.
Get Rid of Standing Water Outside, or Treat It
To lower the risk of mosquitoes gathering around your property, Gray recommends eliminating standing water and treating water that can’t be removed with an EPA-approved larvicide to kill immature stages of mosquitoes. “If your town or county has an organized mosquito control program, communicate with them and support their efforts,” Gray says. “Mosquito control today is a highly technical and scientifically based profession.”
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