Arboviral diseases in North Carolina

• Many cases are asymptomatic or mild. Common symptoms include:
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Rash
• Fatigue
• *Severe cases* can lead to encephalitis (brain inflammation), hemorrhagic fever, or organ failure, depending on the specific virus.

Arboviral diseases are transmitted to humans and animals primarily through the bite of an infected *arthropod vector*, most commonly mosquitoes (e.g., *Aedes*, *Culex* species) and ticks. These vectors acquire the virus by feeding on an infected host (human or animal) and then transmit it when they bite another susceptible host.

• *Personal Protection*:
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, especially during peak biting hours.
• Use mosquito nets while sleeping in endemic areas.
• *Mosquito & Tick Control*:
• Eliminate standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
• Ensure windows and doors have intact screens.
• Check for and remove ticks after outdoor activities.
• *Vaccination*:
• Vaccines are available for specific arboviral diseases like Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, and in some regions, Dengue.