Know Your Risk: Who is at Risk for Vector-Borne Diseases?

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- Vectors like mosquitoes and ticks live outside.

So if you go outside, you become at risk for Vector-Borne Disease.

But there are many factors that contribute to Vector-Borne Disease risk.

For example, the presence or abundance of vector species that transmits pathogens causing Vector-Borne Diseases, the habitat you're in, the weather, and your personal activities and protection.

This may sound intimidating, but if your activities are not in habitats where vectors are typically found, your risk will be lower.

For example, if you're playing baseball in an open, sunny diamond with short grass, you are probably at less risk for tick bites than someone hiking on a wooded trail.

If there's a marsh or a pond near a residential area, this may make someone gardening outside their home more at risk from mosquito bites than someone that lives at a higher elevation without similar nearby water sources.

Generally, warmer weather increases vector activity and may contribute to Vector-Borne Disease risk.

Look at these two graphs that show reported cases for West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease.

Notice any patterns?

Most Vector-Borne Disease cases in the northeastern United States are between the months of May and August, which are the warmest times of the year.

Your own use of personal protection measures will also impact your risk.

If you frequently use repellents, or avoid going outdoors when mosquitoes are active, or conduct regular tick checks, you lower your risk of getting a Vector-Borne Disease.

While there are some factors that may increase or decrease your Vector-Borne Disease risk, it is important to understand that vector encounters may occur even in situations that seem unlikely.

So it is important to always take precautions and protect yourself and your animals.