Tick and mosquito infections spreading quickly across U.S.
- 6 years ago
AMERICA — The number of Americans becoming sick from mosquito, tick and flea bites has more than tripled from 2004 through 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday.
The CDC said 96,075 diseases caused by mosquito, tick and flea bites were reported in 2016, up from 27,388 in 2004, according to Reuters.
In 2016, infections were up 73 percent from 2015 due to the emergence of Zika, a mosquito transmitted illness that causes severe birth defects.
Zika was the most common disease carried by ticks, mosquitoes and fleas reported in 2016, with 41,680 cases, followed by 36,429 cases of Lyme disease.
The surge in infections may be the result of global warming, with warmer temperatures and shorter winters boosting mosquito, tick and flea populations.
According to the CDC, the increases in cases are due to several factors, including growing insect populations that transmit the diseases and increased exposure to U.S. travelers abroad, who unknowingly transport the infections back into the country.
The CDC said 96,075 diseases caused by mosquito, tick and flea bites were reported in 2016, up from 27,388 in 2004, according to Reuters.
In 2016, infections were up 73 percent from 2015 due to the emergence of Zika, a mosquito transmitted illness that causes severe birth defects.
Zika was the most common disease carried by ticks, mosquitoes and fleas reported in 2016, with 41,680 cases, followed by 36,429 cases of Lyme disease.
The surge in infections may be the result of global warming, with warmer temperatures and shorter winters boosting mosquito, tick and flea populations.
According to the CDC, the increases in cases are due to several factors, including growing insect populations that transmit the diseases and increased exposure to U.S. travelers abroad, who unknowingly transport the infections back into the country.