Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are called vectors when they spread germs. A person bitten by one of these vectors who gets sick could have a vector-borne disease.

Some vector-borne diseases have been around for thousands of years, while others are more recent discoveries. Some can develop into serious, life-threatening illnesses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of vector-borne diseases have increased significantly since 2004, with more than 1 million cases reported between 2001 and 2023 in the United States.

Certain groups of people are at a higher risk for vector-borne diseases than others: 

• Children
• Older adults
• Dog owners
• Outdoor workers
• Outdoor enthusiasts
• People with weakened immune systems

Click here to read more about vector-borne diseases from the CDC.