Vector-Borne Diseases

Rapidly spreading across the United States, the invasive longhorned tick threatens cattle, horses, and wildlife; learn identification, risks, and strategies to protect animals.

Learn about these diseases and how you can protect your horse and yourself.

Explore the history of Lyme disease, from its early discovery to key scientific breakthroughs. Learn how decades of research have shaped today's understanding, prevention, and treatment.

In 2022, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article that stated Pennsylvania has the most cases of Lyme Disease in the United States.

Article discussing the blood-borne parasite Theileria orientalis, its transmission by the Asian Longhorned Tick, and considerations when moving cattle.

Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, such as eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus encephalitis, may continue to be an issue in the fall as long as temperatures and weather permit.

Two cases of locally acquired malaria have been found in the United States in the past couple of months with one case occurring in the nearby state of New Jersey.

Learn how to identify the American dog tick and understand what it is feeding on to help limit your exposure to vector-borne diseases.

Lonestar ticks are making their way up into the northeastern United States. Find out how you can identify them!

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are some of the most common ticks in the northeast United States, so how can you identify them?

Get to know the Brown dog tick’s distinguishing characteristics, what it feeds on, and its active seasons, to help avoid exposure to vector-borne disease.

Explore the characteristics of the recently introduced invasive species Asian longhorned tick and how it is already causing infestations in herds of animals across the eastern United States.

Conozca las características distintivas de la garrapata marrón del perro, de qué se alimenta y las épocas del año en las que está activa para limitar su exposición a las enfermedades que transmite.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by dengue virus.

Vectors like ticks and mosquitos can feel unavoidable as we try to enjoy the outdoors. This series focuses on protecting yourself from vectors, understanding those vectors, and reacting to problems with those vectors.

Avoiding tick and mosquito bites can help reduce vector bite risk, but how can you most effectively avoid vectors when they live outside?

Repellents are one of the best ways to prepare to reduce the risk of tick and mosquito bites, but which repellents should you use? Watch this video to learn more.

Hunters are often at risk of tick bites when spending time outdoors in the forests and fields of Pennsylvania. This series covers steps you can take while hunting to prevent tick bites and reduce your risk of tick-borne diseases.

Tick checks are one of the most important things you can do to remove ticks quickly from your horse. What is a tick check? Watch this video to learn more.

Tick checks are one of the most important things you can do to remove ticks quickly from your horse. What is a tick check? Watch this video to learn more.

Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by a parasite that can be transmitted between humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. People can reduce their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes at home or traveling by taking precautionary measures.

Repellents are chemicals applied to provide relief and protection from mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting pests. Proper and safe use of these chemicals is necessary.

Late summer and early fall are when the peak number of cases of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis occur.

Repellents are a great way to reduce vector bites, but they are chemicals and should be used with caution. What are some good practices to use repellents safely? Watch this video to learn more.

One way to prevent tick and mosquito bites is by reducing the number of these vectors on your property. This series covers what integrated vector management is and how it can be used to control ticks and mosquitoes