Vector-borne disease testing: WEST
Arm yourself with increased awareness about vector-borne disease
Vector-borne disease rates in the dry, mountainous states of the American West are lower than in other parts of the country; however, a few tick and mosquito species have grown in prevalence as a result of climate change. Among ticks, Ixodes pacificus, or the western black-legged tick, and Dermacentor species, such as the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and Pacific Coast tick, are the most common. Among the numerous mosquito genera, Culex, Culiseta, and Aedes species mosquitoes are the main vectors present throughout the United States.
Tick-borne illness
The most prevalent tick-borne illnesses in the Western U.S. are Lyme disease, which is spread by Ixodes pacificus, or the western black-legged tick, and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), which can be spread by a number of different tick species, including the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, Pacific Coast tick, and the brown dog tick. Lyme disease presents with fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic bulls-eye pattern rash (in 70% to 80% of patients), but if left untreated can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. Spotted fever group Rickettsia causes severe symptoms, including high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and fatigue, and can lead to death if left untreated. Laboratory testing can help identify the specific disease and guide patient care.
Tick-borne disease testing
Mosquito-borne illness
The most frequently encountered mosquito-borne disease in the Western U.S. is West Nile virus, which is carried primarily by Culex species mosquitoes.
Mosquito-borne disease testing
References
- Lyme disease surveillance data. Lyme disease. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/surveillance-data-1.html. Page updated 2/11/25. Page accessed 5/14/25.
- CDC Wonder. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NNDSS Annual Summary Data 2016-2022 Request
- Data and maps for West Nile. West Nile Virus. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/data-maps/index.html. Page updated 6/18/24. Page accessed 5/14/25.