As summer temperatures rise and climates change, diseases spread by mosquitoes are once again in the news. There has been a worrying rise in cases across the United States. This year, mosquitoes that carry diseases like dengue fever, Eastern equine encephalitis, and West Nile virus are making people more aware of their health and issuing health warnings. People in Massachusetts, for example, are being told to stay inside at night because bugs carry Eastern equine encephalitis. With West Nile virus, even the famous immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci had to go to the hospital earlier this month. Also, record numbers of dengue fever cases are being reported around the world, including in Puerto Rico and other parts of the U.S. This alarming rise is thought to be caused by climate change and more people living in cities. Luckily, there are effective ways to protect yourself from these potentially deadly diseases.

Learning About Illnesses Spread by Mosquitoes

People are often bitten by mosquitoes, which spreads a number of dangerous diseases. Some of these diseases are more common in other parts of the world than in the U.S., but some are becoming very important here, especially this summer.

West Nile Virus

The most common disease spread by mosquitoes in the U.S. right now is West Nile virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile virus symptoms can be mild to serious. These symptoms include fevers, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and spots on the skin. Most people who get bitten by an infected mosquito don’t get sick, but people over 60 or who already have a health problem, like diabetes, are more likely to get very sick and need to go to the hospital. The virus can also spread to the brain or spinal cord, which can cause long-term cognitive problems or even death. This year, 216 people in the U.S. have been infected with the West Nile virus, and 142 of those cases have become very serious.

EEE stands for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Eastern horse encephalitis, or EEE, is another dangerous disease spread by mosquitoes that is a problem in the eastern United States. The EEE virus mostly affects horses, birds, and other animals. However, mosquitoes that bite these affected animals can spread the virus to people. Some EEE symptoms are like the flu, like fever, body aches, and strong headaches. These can be signs of encephalitis or brain swelling. This disease is especially scary because it has a high death rate—about one-third of people who get it die, and many who survive have long-term brain problems. Even though EEE is not common, it is very dangerous because there are no good medicines or treatments. One case was found in Massachusetts, one in New Jersey, and one in Vermont this year in the United States.

Dengue Fever

The virus that causes dengue fever is most common in warm and subtropical areas, like South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. To be fair, the disease is also a big problem in Puerto Rico, which declared a state of emergency this year because of the rising number of cases. The CDC has warned people about dengue fever because there are an extremely high number of cases, mostly from traveling. Dengue fever causes a high fever, headaches, body aches, feeling sick, and a rash. Up to 400 million people get the disease every year, and there are no special treatments or medicines available. Most people who get it don’t have any symptoms, and it rarely kills them.

1 Why diseases spread by mosquitoes are on the rise

Experts say that the rise in mosquito-borne diseases is mostly caused by three things: warmer and wetter climates, more people living in cities, and more mosquitoes. Mosquitoes like living in warm, still water, so higher temperatures and more rain make perfect conditions for these pests to lay their eggs. Also, as people build in places where mosquitoes like to live, like ponds and swamps, the chances of people and mosquitoes coming into contact with each other and spreading disease go up.

As co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Dr. Peter Hotez says that diseases spread by mosquitoes are “emerging or reemerging due to a confluence of climate change and urbanization.” For example, the rise in EEE cases in Massachusetts this year may be due to the state’s unusually wet spring and summer, which made it easy for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

Here are four ways to keep yourself safe from diseases spread by mosquitoes.

Even though mosquito-borne diseases are becoming a bigger problem, there are some easy things you can do to lower your chance of getting sick:

1. Get rid of any standing water

Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, it’s important to get rid of any sources of still water near your house. This includes dumping flower pots that aren’t being used, cleaning out gutters, and changing the water in birdbaths on a regular basis. You can get rid of a lot of mosquitoes in your area by getting rid of places where they can grow.

2. Don’t do anything outside at dawn or dusk.

It’s best to avoid bugs that carry diseases like EEE in the early morning and late evening. Spending time outside during these times will increase your risk, so stay inside instead. In places where mosquito-borne diseases are common, health officials may even tell people to stay inside at dawn and dusk as an extra safety measure.

3. Put on clothes that protect you

Long pants and shirts with long sleeves are important to wear outside to cover as much skin as possible, especially when mosquito season is in full swing. Lower legs and feet are easy for mosquitoes to bite, especially those that carry dengue fever, so make sure to protect these areas. Also, wear clothes that are light in color because mosquitoes are less likely to be drawn to them.

4. Use bug spray with DEET to keep bugs away.

Putting bug repellent with DEET on skin that is going to be uncovered is one of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away. DEET is a chemical that works very well to keep mosquitoes away, and most people can safely use it. When you use the protection, make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and repeat as needed, especially if you are swimming or sweating.

Taking these steps can help protect your health and well-being as mosquito-borne diseases continue to become a bigger problem. By learning about mosquito-borne diseases and being ready, you can enjoy the outdoors with less chance of getting sick.