When most people think about line-of-duty risks, they think about vehicle accidents, severe weather, hazardous materials, or dangerous working conditions.
They do not usually think about ticks and mosquitoes.
But across the United States, vector-borne diseases are receiving increased attention from health officials, researchers, and the media as cases continue to be reported in new areas and populations. For emergency managers, first responders, public works crews, utility personnel, forestry workers, and disaster response teams, understanding these risks is becoming an increasingly important part of protecting the workforce.
The reality is simple: if your team spends time outdoors, they are exposed.
Would your team recognize the warning signs?
Lyme Disease
Primary Carrier: Blacklegged (Deer) Tick
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States. Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and the well-known “bull’s-eye” rash, although not everyone develops the rash.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the joints, nervous system, and heart.
Most Common In: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Primary Carriers: American Dog Tick, Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, Brown Dog Tick
Despite its name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is particularly common in the Southeast.
Symptoms often include fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, and a spotted rash that may develop several days after illness begins. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, as severe cases can become life-threatening.
Most Common In: Southeast, South Central, and Mid-Atlantic regions, including Georgia.
Ehrlichiosis
Primary Carrier: Lone Star Tick
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial illness that can cause fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms.
Because the symptoms often resemble other illnesses, it can be overlooked during its early stages.
Most Common In: Southeastern and South-Central United States
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Primary Carrier: Lone Star Tick
Unlike most tick-borne illnesses, Alpha-Gal Syndrome is an allergic reaction triggered by a tick bite.
Some individuals develop an allergy to red meat and other mammalian products. Reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe allergic responses that require emergency medical treatment.
Cases continue to receive growing national attention, particularly throughout the Southeast where Lone Star ticks are common.
Most Common In: Southeastern United States
West Nile Virus
Primary Carrier: Mosquitoes
Most people infected with West Nile Virus experience no symptoms. Others may develop fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms.
In rare cases, West Nile Virus can lead to serious neurological complications.
Most Common In: Much of the continental United States
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Primary Carrier: Mosquitoes
Although rare, EEE is considered one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.
Severe infections can result in inflammation of the brain and significant neurological complications.
Most Common In: Atlantic Coast states, Gulf Coast states, and areas surrounding freshwater wetlands
Dengue, Zika Virus & Chikungunya
Primary Carrier: Aedes Mosquitoes
These diseases are most common in tropical and subtropical regions, but localized outbreaks have occurred in parts of the United States.
Public health officials often monitor these diseases closely following periods of increased mosquito activity, flooding, and severe weather events.
Most Common In: Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories, Florida, Gulf Coast regions, and travelers returning from affected areas
Why This Matters for Response Teams
For many agencies, insect exposure is simply considered part of working outdoors.
That mindset can create unnecessary risk.
Disaster recovery operations, search and rescue missions, utility restoration, debris removal, forestry work, road clearing, damage assessments, and public works projects routinely place teams in environments where ticks and mosquitoes thrive.
The longer crews spend in those environments, the greater the opportunity for exposure.
Protecting your team starts with recognizing that insect-borne illnesses are more than a nuisance. They are an operational readiness issue.
Protect Your Team Before the Bite
The best defense against insect-borne illness is preventing the bite in the first place.
No Tickz® was designed for teams working in tick-prone environments. Its picaridin-based formula provides a DEET-Free† option for long-lasting protection against ticks and mosquitoes. As a popular alternative to DEET, picaridin delivers effective protection without the strong odor, greasy feel, or slow-drying application often associated with traditional repellents. No Tickz® is unscented, non-greasy, non-staining, quick-drying, and repels ticks and mosquitoes for up to 12 hours.
For mosquito-heavy operations, No Mosquitoz® offers another DEET-Free† option made with botanical active ingredients. Formulated with essential oils including citronella, lemongrass, and cedarwood, it helps repel mosquitoes, gnats, no-see’ums, and biting flies during extended outdoor operations.
Whether your team is clearing storm debris, conducting damage assessments, restoring utilities, or working in the field every day, insect protection should be part of the plan.
Because the easiest illness to deal with is the one your team never gets.
Understanding your local risks is an important part of preparedness. The information in this article is based on resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For additional information on vector-borne diseases, prevention strategies, and current concerns in your area, visit the CDC’s Vector-Borne Diseases resource center.
†Not a safety claim.
