Arboviral Infections

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Arboviral Infections

What are arboviral infections?

Arboviral (short for arthropod-borne viral) infections are caused by certain viruses which are transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods, primarily mosquitoes, and less often ticks. These infections generally occur during warm-weather months when mosquitoes are active.	Insect repellents should be used when outdoors in mosquito-infested areas. In addition, several	prevention measures can be implemented to reduce the number of mosquitoes, such as placing screens on doors and windows.

Arboviral infections in New York City?

West Nile virus is the only arbovirus known to be transmitted within New York City. While other arboviruses, like Eastern equine encephalitis, California serogroup, and St. Louis encephalitis virus are found in the Northeastern US, the types of mosquitoes that carry these arboviruses are rarely found in New York City. The primary tick-borne arbovirus in the northeastern US is Powassan virus; this virus has been reported in New York State, but not New York City. New York City residents who travel outside of the US can also be at risk for other arboviral infections, such as	dengue, chikungunya,	yellow fever or tick borne encephalitis viruses that are endemic in other countries. Reported cases of travel-related	dengue have been increasing among New York City residents in recent years.

For more information on the number of NYC residents reported to have an arboviral infection other than	West Nile,	dengue or	yellow fever, please visit	EpiQuery. Please note that very few arboviruses other than West Nile virus and dengue are reported in NYC.

What can I do to prevent mosquito bites?

For more information on taking personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites go to	insect repellent use and safety .

More information

More information about arboviral infections is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	Arboviral Encephalitides .

See our travelers brochure: Your Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel
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