Mosquito transmitted animal diseases

Dirofilaria immitis is the basic cause of the heartworm disease, worm-like parasites that are better known as heartworms. The disease may occur in your pet dog or cat. It is a very severe disease.

Your dog can get heartworm disease, whether he's an "outside" dog or even if he stays inside most of the time. Dogs get heartworm disease from mosquitoes. It is the female mosquito that bites and transmits the infection.

West Nile Virus was first found in the United States in 1999. The virus was previously found only in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was probably introduced into this country by an infected bird or mosquito.