Ticks can spread disease. Not all ticks can cause disease and not all bites will make you sick, but as these diseases become more common it's important to learn how to prevent a bite, how to remove a tick and what to do if you think you could have a tick-borne disease.
Ticks Page
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. Infected mammals can transmit rabies virus to humans and other mammals. Rabies is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can be infected. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated. People usually get exposed when an infected animal bites them.
Rabies Page
Mosquitoes usually are seen as a nuisance, but they can sometimes spread diseases to people and animals. These diseases can cause illness and even death. While your chances of being infected with a disease through a mosquito bite are very small, some diseases spread by mosquitoes have increased in recent years. Climate change continues to increase the risk of diseases spread by mosquitoes, especially for people who travel to areas where they are more common.
Mosquitoes can spread several diseases to people, but two viruses that some mosquito species in New York State can transmit are:
Protect Yourself:
Preventing mosquito bites is the most important way to reduce your risk of getting a disease that is spread by mosquitoes.
For much more information about mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, visit the NYS DOH Mosquitoes and Disease website.