Key points
- Everyone is at risk of mosquito and tick bites that can make you sick.
- Certain groups of people are at higher risk for severe illness.
- People who have a weakened immune system can have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks.
![Graphic of a U.S. map showing the mosquitoes and ticks live everywhere.](/vector-borne-diseases/media/images/US-map-FtB_web-banner-1200x675.png)
Who's at risk
Everyone is at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks and getting sick from the germs they can spread. Did you know over 20 mosquito-borne and tickborne diseases are found in the United States?
Certain groups of people are at a higher risk for disease than others. Understanding your risk of vector-borne diseases can help you know when and where to expect ticks and mosquitoes. People at higher risk can include:
- People who spend time in mosquito or tick habitat or live in certain areas that put them in contact with ticks and mosquitoes.
- Certain groups of people are more likely to develop severe disease, such as
- Older adults
- People who have weakened immune systems
- Older adults
Mosquito-borne diseases
- Cache Valley
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Eastern equine encephalitis
- Jamestown Canyon
- La Crosse encephalitis
- Malaria
- Rift Valley fever
- St. Louis encephalitis
- West Nile
- Zika
Tickborne diseases
Conditions that can increase risk
People who are immunocompromised
People who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) can have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks.
Learn more
- Information for patients
- Information for healthcare providers