Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then can transmit West Nile virus to humans, animals — and back to birds. They inject the virus through their saliva into the blood stream where it multiplies and causes serious and potentially fatal illness. According to the North Dakota Department of Health, in 2014, North Dakota had 22 human positive tests of West Nile virus. The most common vector in North Dakota is the Culex tarsalis(see below). With no vaccine yet available, every effort to avoid contracting this disease is necessary.

Most commonly found in dogs and cats, heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that can grow to about six inches and lives in the heart and arteries of the lungs. The adult worms produce thousands of microscopic baby worms that enter the bloodstream and are then sucked up by mosquitoes feeding on infected animals. After reaching infection larval stage in the mosquitoes, the worms are re-introduced to their principal animal hosts like dogs, cats, ferrets, and, in rare cases, humans. In their host, they mature, breed and start the cycle all over again. Heartworms, which can live up to 7 years, will cause serious health issues, with the potential for death, if gone untreated. Treatment is available for dogs, except for advanced cases, through an injected drug that kills the heart worm. There is no treatment for cats. For more information go to https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics