Diseases of Concern

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major concern in Tennessee. In 2021, state epidemiologists created 136 mosquito-borne disease investigations in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS). Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, incidence of imported mosquito-borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, and Yellow Fever have gone down in Tennessee, likely due to decreased international travel. However, it is likely that reports of these diseases will increase as time goes on.

West Nile fever and neuroinvasive disease, La Crosse encephalitis, and eastern equine encephalitis are all diseases caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes in the U.S. and in Tennessee. These diseases can cause flu-like symptoms, but they can also cause brain swelling and meningitis. Because there are no vaccines or treatments for these diseases, it is critical to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Different types of mosquitoes transmit different diseases; to learn more about which mosquitoes carry which diseases, check out the page on how to identify the nine key mosquito species found in Tennessee.

To learn more about the specific mosquito-borne diseases in Tennessee, please click on the pictures below. If you suspect that you have contracted a mosquito-borne disease, please contact a physician immediately.

Most Common Mosquito-Borne Diseases in TN

Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases in TN