Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Vector-borne disease testing

Vector-borne disease testing: The right test, the right patient, the right geographic area

StaY ahead of the spread with comprehensive testing

Climate change continues to enable the world’s smallest predators to move into previously uninhabitable regions. As ticks, mosquitoes, and other arthropod vectors migrate into and expand throughout new geographic areas, so too have the diseases they carry.1 Within the last two decades, more than 1 million cases of vector-borne diseases were reported in the U.S.2 While many vector-borne infections are not serious, some can become life-threatening. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 161 individuals in the U.S. died from West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in 2024.3

Staying up to date and educated on which vector-borne diseases are present in your region is the first step toward identifying appropriate testing to accurately diagnose patients.

1 million

1 million cases of vector-borne disease were reported in the U.S. between 2003 and 20232

89,250

89,250 cases of Lyme disease reported in the U.S. in 20233

2,566

2,566 cases of West Nile virus reported in the U.S. in 20231

Midwest Midwest
Midwest

In the states that comprise the Midwest, West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness; however, cases of Jamestown Canyon virus have also been reported. Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are the most frequently occurring types of tick-borne diseases in the Midwest.  

Northeast Northeast
Northeast

In Northeastern states, several tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, Powassan virus, and babesiosis, are endemic. Among mosquito-borne illnesses, West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus are the most prevalent.

South South
South

The most common mosquito-borne illness in the Southern U.S. is West Nile virus, but cases of La Crosse encephalitis have also been reported. Among tick-borne illnesses, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are the most common.

West West
WEST

States in the Western U.S. report West Nile virus as the most common mosquito-borne disease. Among tick-borne illnesses, Lyme disease and spotted fever group rickettsial infections have the highest prevalence.

Canada Canada
Canada

In the central Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus are the most frequently reported mosquito-borne illnesses. Among tick-borne illnesses, Lyme disease is the most common and primarily occurs in the eastern province of Nova Scotia and the central provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Anaplasmosis cases are also reported in Ontario and Quebec.

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    Beyond Lyme disease

    The presence of new and abundant tick species throughout North America has driven an increase in the diseases they carry. Because many vectors can transmit more than one disease-causing agent, the types of diseases occurring in certain regions are expanding as pests migrate to new regions.

    While Lyme disease continues to be the most prevalent tick-borne disease, with 89,250 cases reported in the U.S. in 20234, other illnesses such as alpha-gal syndrome, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Powassan virus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are commonly identified throughout the United States. When point-of-care testing reveals that an infection is not Lyme disease, our algorithmic-based testing can quickly pinpoint the correct cause and help set patients on a path toward healing.

    Learn more about the ticks that live in each region.

    Expedite diagnosis through streamlined, algorithm-guided testing

    Our algorithmic approach to vector-borne disease testing supports providing the right test to the right patient based on their geographic region of exposure. Our comprehensive vector-borne disease testing menu encompasses individual tests and panels for the detection of possible co-infections. Including testing for endemic illnesses, such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease, we have evaluations for emerging and esoteric diseases, such as alpha-gal syndrome, Powassan virus, spotted fever group rickettsial infections, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia, among others. We also offer testing for diseases imported by travelers, such as Chagas disease, Zika virus, dengue virus, and malaria. Providing physicians with the tools to accurately diagnose their patients enables appropriate treatment and improved patient outcomes. 

    Download Acute tick-borne disease testing algorithm
    Download Mosquito-borne disease laboratory testing algorithm

    Learn more about how we can work together to support diagnosis of vector-borne disease.

    Explore our comprehensive list of vector-borne testing. Schedule a time to discuss with one of our clinical specialists.

    Resources
    Learn more Increase your tick literacy. Learn the ABCs of ticks to protect yourself and those you love from infectious insects. 
    Learn more Read about how Mayo Clinic Laboratories identified a new cause of Lyme disease: Borrelia mayonii.
    Learn more Mayo Clinic Laboratories testing identified alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) in a patient’s blood sample, clarifying baffling symptoms that occurred after eating red meat.
    Learn more Mosquito bites, which spread more disease than any other insect, can be easily avoided with a few simple steps. 
    Learn more Understanding how vector-borne illnesses spread starts with understanding the ticks and insects that carry them. Join one of Mayo Clinic's top infectious disease experts on a research expedition. 
    Learn more The best way to manage potentially harmful bug bites is prevention. One of Mayo Clinic Laboratories' chief bug experts shares her strategies to beat the bite. 
    Learn more Take a deep dive into the changing landscape of vector-borne diseases throughout the U.S.
    References
    1. Climate and Infectious Diseases. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/topics-programs/climate-infectious-disease.html. Updated March 21, 2024. Accessed Jan. 5, 2026.
    2. United States Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024.
    3. West Nile Virus Historic Data (1991-2023). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/data-maps/historic-data.html. Updated Feb. 28, 2025. Accessed Jan. 5, 2026.
    4. Lyme Disease Surveillance and Data. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. Updated March 13, 2025. Accessed Jan. 5, 2026.