Can mosquitoes spread disease to my staff or customers?

Is there a risk of mosquitoes spreading illness to my employees or customers?

Yes. Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting a range of diseases through their bites, and for commercial properties with outdoor spaces, this is a genuine consideration. While not every mosquito bite leads to illness, the risk is real and worth taking seriously.

Several mosquito-borne diseases are present in the United States. Noteworthy disease include:

• West Nile virus: According to the CDC, West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous United States. Most people who contract it experience mild or no symptoms, but in some cases it can cause serious neurological illness.
• La Crosse virus: Most commonly reported in the upper Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and southeastern states. Many people infected with La Crosse virus have no symptoms at all. Others may develop a mild febrile illness with fever, headache, and nausea. In some cases, most often in children under 16, the virus can progress to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which may require hospitalization. 
• Dengue: Primarily a risk for travelers returning from affected regions, though local transmission has been recorded in some US states.
• Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): A rare but severe disease with a high fatality rate in confirmed cases. Found primarily in the eastern and southeastern U.S. 

For businesses with outdoor seating, event spaces, or staff working outside, high mosquito activity can create a duty-of-care consideration, so it’s worth speaking to our mosquito control team. Customers who are bitten on your premises may associate the experience with your brand. Taking proactive steps to reduce mosquito populations shows that you take the wellbeing of your staff and visitors seriously.