If You Live in These States, Watch Out for This Potentially Disabling Mosquito

This insect can infect people with a wide range of diseases, including a severe one with no treatment.

No one likes mosquitos, and certainly no one looks forward to getting bitten by one. But those itchy red bumps we're used to dealing with as the result of the average mosquito bite may be the least of our worries, considering some mosquitos can transmit serious illnesses to humans. Lately, experts have been warning inhabitants of certain states—more than half, in fact—to watch out for one type of dangerous mosquito: the Asian tiger mosquito. It has the ability to infect you with multiple harmful diseases, including one virus with "disabling" symptoms that has no available treatment or vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Asian tiger mosquitoes are an invasive species that came to the U.S. from northern Asia in the mid '80s, according to the Center for Invasive Species Research (CISR) at the University of California, Riverside. This mosquito typically feeds on humans during the day and is a "very efficient" spreader of a wide range of pathogens, the CISR says. Asian tiger mosquitoes are can carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Zika virus, West Nile virus, and dengue fever, and it's also one of the only—and primary—spreaders of the disabling chikungunya virus.

The CDC says the most common symptoms of a chikungunya infection are fever, joint pain, and swelling, but those infected may also experience a headache, muscle pain, or rash. The agency says that most people infected with chikunguyna will develop some type of symptoms, which are often "severe and disabling."

"There is no vaccine to prevent [chikungunya] infection and no treatment for an infection," the CDC warns. "The best way to prevent getting infected is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites."

If you're wondering how to spot an Asian tiger mosquito, know that the name comes from the insect's distinctive white and black color pattern, per the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). They are black with white stripes and silver-white bands.

Unfortunately, this mosquito breeds in "nearly any sort of water-filled container," so the IDPH says that they can become very common and bothersome, even in areas where mosquitos are normally not prevalent.

"Anytime you've got standing water around, you do have a good breeding environment for mosquitoes," Lynn Sutfin, a public information officer with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told Michigan Radio on July 22. "So in cases where you have something that could be dumped out—such as a bucket, a planter that's not being used, or a kiddie pool—we definitely encourage folks to do that."

While the rate of Asian tiger mosquitos has risen dramatically in some midwestern states, these are hardly the only areas you'll see this dangerous insect. Over the course of the past four decades, the Asian tiger mosquito has spread to nearly 30 states, according to the CDC's latest estimate of the insect's range in 2017. Read on to find out if these mosquitos are spreading in your state.

RELATED: If You Live Here, Prepare for a Mosquito Invasion Like You've Never Seen.

1
Alabama

Montgomery, Alabama
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2
Arkansas

The skyline of Little Rock, Arkansas
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3
Connecticut

fast moving traffic on a highway and buildings in Hartford, Connecticut at dusk
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4
Delaware

downtown wilmington delaware
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5
Florida

Florida
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RELATED: If You Live in These States, Prepare to See More Tarantulas.

6
Georgia

atlanta georgia skyline
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7
Illinois

Illinois
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8
Indiana

The skyline of Indianapolis, Indiana
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9
Kansas

cityscape photo of Wichita, Kansas at dusk
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10
Kentucky

An aerial view of downtown Lexington, Kentucky on a clear day
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RELATED: This Is the Most Hated Insect in the U.S., New Survey Shows.

11
Louisiana

shreveport louisiana skyline
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12
Maryland

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13
Massachusetts

Massachusetts
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14
Michigan

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15
Mississippi

Jackson is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Mississippi.
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16
Missouri

cityscape photo of Kansas City, Missouri
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17
New Jersey

New Jersey
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18
New York

city skyline of and Water of New York Harbor in New York, NY
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RELATED: If You Live Here, Prepare to See More Scorpions, Experts Say.

19
North Carolina

cityscape photo of Durham, North Carolina
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20
Ohio

Downtown Columbus skyline aerial with Alexander Park, Battelle Riverfront Park, Genoa Park, and Scioto River in the foregruond.
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RELATED:  If You See This Bug, Call Local Officials Immediately, Experts Warn.

21
Oklahoma

The skyline of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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22
Oregon

Eugene, Oregon, USA downtown cityscape at dusk.
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23
Pennsylvania

city skyline of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at twilight
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24
Rhode Island

roger williams statue providence rhode island
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25
South Carolina

downtown area of Charleston, South Carolina in the afternoon
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26
Tennessee

cityscape photo of buildings, a highway, and the Sunsphere in Knoxville, Tennessee
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27
Texas

city skyline of and buildings in downtown Houston, Texas
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RELATED: This Is How Many Types of Venomous Snakes Are in Your State.

28
Virginia

richmond virginia skyline
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29
West Virginia

cityscape photo of Charleston, West Virginia
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RELATED: This State Is Under Quarantine Due to Fire Ants—11 Others Could Be Next.

Kali Coleman
Kali Coleman is a Senior Editor at Best Life. Her primary focus is covering news, where she often keeps readers informed on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and up-to-date on the latest retail closures. Read more
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