Can You Get Lyme Disease From Mosquitoes?
WouterThousands of different species of mosquitoes are found throughout the world. Each species is active at different times of the year. Some only come out at night, while others are active all day.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The black-legged tick is an important carrier of this bacteria. It also feeds on small rodents infected with this bacterium.
In addition to causing Lyme disease, the tick can also transmit other diseases to humans. It can also infect pets.
If you live in a region where these ticks are a common occurrence, it is best to take certain precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. This includes wearing long pants and long sleeves whenever you go outdoors. It is also recommended that you remove any unattached ticks as soon as you get home.
To keep your pet away from ticks, you need to make sure that it is not wandering in tall weeds or wading pools. You should also clean your birdbaths on a regular basis. If you have children, you should make sure that they do not use any wading pools.
While most people think that mosquitoes do not carry Lyme disease, scientists have been studying the relationship between the two. They have found that the ticks can contain Borrelia burgdorferi in their salivary glands. They can also carry other home-grown bacteria that are derived from fleas and other insects.
Lyme disease can develop in weeks, months or years after an infection. While many cases can be treated with antibiotics, untreated infections can cause permanent damage.
