Can Insects Transmit COVID-19?
The team at New Mexico Pest Control is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation to stay educated and to keep up-to-date wit the latest information. As always, our focus is our dedication to the safety and health of our communities here in the Santa Fe area. Although much is unknown about this virus, one thing is for certain: to date, there is no evidence or proof to suggest that mosquitoes and ticks are capable of transmitting coronavirus. Although these two insects play a role in the transmission of some of the world’s most deadly diseases, the current pandemic is not one of them. With help from the CDC, we’ve gathered info about diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks in this blog post.
Is COVID-19 Transmitted by Mosquitoes & Ticks?
No, there is no scientific evidence that mosquitoes and ticks transmit COVID-19. Mosquito and tick-borne diseases do not spread in the way that coronaviruses do:
- The coronavirus is a respiratory virus that, to date, is spread through person-to-person contact.
- This virus spreads through droplets from saliva or nasal discharge. This is often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can also be transmitted via contact with a contaminated surface and is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus.
- Coronaviruses are best avoided by avoiding exposure with infected persons. This is not the case for mosquito and tick-borne diseases.
Vector-Borne Diseases in New Mexico
What are vector-borne diseases and what makes them different? Vectors are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. The most common vector pests are fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. It’s important to know the dangers of mosquitoes and ticks in particular:
- Mosquitoes have transmitted malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more.
- Ticks transmit Lyme disease, which is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.
- If these vector pests feed off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that will infect other hosts it subsequently bites. This is how humans are exposed to the above diseases.
We are Open and Here for You
Several types of insects can transmit disease but from what we currently know, COVID-19 is not one of them. At New Mexico Pest Control, we understand mosquitoes are still a threat. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent biting insects. Our team continues to provide essential pest control services to our neighbors and customers in these difficult times.
As the COVID-19 situation unfolds, we encourage our customers to seek more information and follow guidelines released by the WHO, CDC, as well as your state and local public health agencies.
