Bugs That Carry Disease in Alabama
Originally Published May 26, 2016 | Updated Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Insects serve a vital purpose in the ecosystem, but they can also cause destruction and even fatalities. Throughout history, insects have been a major source of infection. Some species are able to carry diseases and transmit them to people.
Back in 2016, it was the Zika virus that had experts in a frenzy, fighting to contain and control the disease. Before that, other infections have also caused serious concern.
Here’s a look at different insect-borne diseases—and many that affect Alabama specifically.
Mosquitoes
Yellow Fever
Of all the insects in the world, the mosquito is the biggest culprit for the spread of disease. One of the worst infections that can be contracted from mosquitoes is yellow fever.
Today, yellow fever isn’t a huge concern because we have vaccines. However, it has plagued Alabama in the past. The state experienced several outbreaks in the 1800s. In 1819, 1853, and 1858, yellow fever outbreaks hit Mobile. Several years ago, a mass grave was discovered in Montgomery that’s believed to be a result of a yellow fever epidemic in 1878. During that outbreak, Alabama and seven other states were affected, and 16,000 people died.
Malaria
Like yellow fever, malaria is spread through mosquito bites. But unlike yellow fever, cases of malaria are still occurring in Alabama. In 2015, a person who was thought to have Ebola actually had malaria. In 2014, a Mobile teenager was also diagnosed with malaria. Although outbreaks occurred in the early 1900s, the latest cases of malaria were contracted by individuals while traveling abroad.
Along with yellow fever and dengue, there are millions of malaria cases each year, and deaths count in the hundreds of thousands around the world. Fortunately, malaria is rare in the U.S., and the disease is curable if it’s detected early.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is yet another serious disease spread by mosquitoes. Typically, cases are somewhat mild, but dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is much more severe. If left untreated, DHV can cause death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that while there are no dengue vaccines available in the United States, there are vaccines approved or in development in other countries with higher rates of infection.
The spread of dengue fever across the south became national news in 1964. Between 1995 and 2005, nine cases of dengue fever were reported in Alabama. Concerns over dengue fever in the U.S. have been renewed recently after outbreaks in Florida reached the hundreds; however, most were contracted overseas, not locally.
West Nile Virus
Less than a decade ago, mosquito control became a top priority in Alabama because of concerns over the West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is spread by mosquitoes that have contracted the disease from birds. It’s a dangerous disease because in severe cases it can cause inflammation in the brain and around the spinal cord. This can cause permanent brain damage or even death.
At the time of publishing this blog, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there have been only 6 cases of WNV in Alabama so far in 2026.
Zika Virus
In 2016, the Zika virus was a major public health concern for people in Alabama and across the Americas. This mosquito-borne illness quickly spread from South America, up Central America, and into North America. According to the CDC, there have been no confirmed cases of locally acquired Zika virus in the United States since 2019. Part of the reason it is so dangerous is that the carrier can be asymptomatic, and the disease can cause serious birth defects and other pregnancy-related issues.
This is a perfect example of how fast insect-borne diseases can spread today. Health officials warn that rapid travel and warmer weather are accelerating the spread of diseases. They are worried that our ability to travel great distances before realizing we’re infected could lead to epidemic conditions.
Ticks
Lyme Disease
If you take a trek out in the woods, you’ll want to do a tick check as soon as you get home. Why? Lyme disease can be transmitted by a brown deer tick to a human, and if it isn’t caught early and treated, it can cause serious damage that leads to chronic complications.
Lyme disease isn’t a current high concern for the Alabama Department of Public Health because Alabama is considered a low-incidence state. However, at one point, Lyme disease was so prevalent in Alabama that the Alabama Lyme Disease Association was formed. In the past, Lyme disease vaccines were available, and currently, a new preventive vaccine is in development and showing promising results in trials.
Triatomine Bugs
Chagas Disease
Don’t let the name “kissing bug” fool you. The triatomine bug, also called the assassin bug or cone-nosed bug, earned its nickname for biting people near the mouth while they sleep, and in rare cases, it can pass along the parasite that causes Chagas disease. The good news is that Auburn University entomologists have tracked these bugs across Alabama for years, and local kissing bugs generally aren’t interested in feeding on people. Instead, they stick mostly to small mammals in wood piles, brush, and dead trees. Kissing bugs have been in Alabama for a long time, but there hasn’t been a confirmed or documented case in the state since 2019.
And the species most responsible for spreading Chagas to humans lives in Central and South America, not in Alabama. Still, if you spot one, don’t touch it; instead, scoop it into a container and take it to your local extension office, where they’ll send it to Auburn to be part of the research project.
Vulcan Termite Has Your Back
You can help safeguard yourself and your family by using custom pest control treatments to protect your property. Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. has been a trusted pest control company in Central Alabama since 1965. Our team understands the unique needs of the area and how to control insects so they don’t pose a threat to your home or business. Give us a call today to discuss how we can help you control mosquitoes, ticks, and more.
Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/education-and-prevention/diseases-spread-by-bugs-in-alabama/
Posted in Education and Prevention