### Illnesses Spread by Ticks and Mosquitos: What You Need to Know Illnesses spread by ticks and mosquitos are on the rise, prompting warnings from doctors and scientists to take precautions and watch out for any tell-tale symptoms. #### Recent Trends - **Malaria**: At least seven cases of malaria from mosquitoes were reported in Florida and Texas last month – the first reports of local spread in 20 years. - **Tick-borne Illnesses**: Cases of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease in the U.S. have increased 25% from 2011 to 2019. Babesiosis cases more than doubled in some Northeastern states during the same period. - **West Nile Virus**: Arizona saw an outbreak in 2021, the largest since the illness was detected in the U.S. in 1999. #### Symptoms to Watch For - **Malaria**: Symptoms usually start 10 to 15 days after a bite and include high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and fatigue. - **Lyme Disease**: Starts with a bull's-eye rash and can lead to fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis if untreated. Symptoms often include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue. - **Babesiosis**: Often causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue. - **Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever**: Causes confusion, headache, muscle pain, and rash on the wrist and ankles. Most cases have been reported in the eastern U.S. #### Preventive Measures - **Insect Repellent**: Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves. - **Home Protection**: Keep screens on windows and remove standing water around the house. - **Clothing**: Wear clothing that covers arms and legs when walking in woodsy areas and do thorough tick checks afterward. - **Permethrin**: Treat clothes and outdoor gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. #### Research and Future Solutions - **Vaccines**: Biotech companies Pfizer and Valneva are in late-stage clinical trials with their Lyme vaccine candidate. - **New Treatments**: Researchers are studying the use of cancer drugs to treat malaria, aiming for an accelerated path to drug therapy. Stay informed and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from these rising threats.