Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases to Watch

Zika may be on every traveler’s mind these days, but there are tons of other important mosquito-borne diseases one should be aware of and take precautions to prevent contracting.

Among the diseases you should be aware of: West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, malaria and more. These will vary greatly depending on the country you’re visiting, the time of year, the activities you’re planning and specific climates you’ll spend time in.

Diseases like malaria have been eradicated in developed countries, but persist in developing nations, especially those in tropical regions. Travelers can visit their doctors in their home countries to find out whether they should pursue any vaccines before they leave; it’s important to visit your primary care provider or a doctor specializing in travel medicine several months before you depart, in case you need to take boosters or start medication before you go.

In most cases, your insurance won’t cover this type of medical care, but it’s important to take preventative steps if they’re available; being treated for these diseases is even more expensive than a few shots or pills.

You can also do research on the CDC’s website to determine if you need to take precautions. And the simplest way to avoid contact from mosquitoes is to apply repellant, wear long sleeves or mosquito-repellant garments and use a mosquito net.