Insect bite

Superinfection following insect bite

Insect bites are common and most insect bites are harmless. However, some insect bites can cause irritation, discomfort, pain or itching. Some insect bites can also transmit diseases such as West Nile virus or Malaria.

Insect bites that hurt

Some insect bites such as those by bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt.

Insect bites that itch

Mosquito and flea bites usually itch.

Diseases spread by mosquitoes

Insects can also spread diseases or the site of the insect bite can get infected. In the United States, some mosquitoes spread West Nile virus. Travelers outside the United States may be at risk for malaria and other infections.

• Chikungunya virus
• Dengue virus
• Eastern equine encephalitis virus
• Japanese encephalitis virus
• La crosse encephalitis
• Malaria
• St. Louis encephalitis
• West nile virus
• Yellow fever
• Zika virus

Who is at risk?

Workers are at risk when they are working where mosquitoes are biting. Different species of mosquitoes are found in varying geographic locations, are most active at different times, and spread different diseases. The risk to workers varies with where they are working in the United States or elsewhere, type of habitat at the work site, season, and time of day.

Workers at risk include:

• Outdoor workers
• Business travelers who may travel to areas with mosquito-borne diseases
• Laboratory workers who may work with potentially infected samples, cultures, or arthropods
• Healthcare workers who may handle patients who are, or might be infected with certain mosquito-borne diseases. Transmission may occur through a break in their skin or via a sharp penetration injury.

Employer Recommendations

• Some mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water. Decrease the numbers of mosquitoes at worksites by:
• removing, turning over, covering, or storing equipment
• removing debris from ditches
• filling in ruts and other areas that collect standing water
• removing tires, buckets, bottles, and barrels that collect water
• placing drain holes in containers that collect water and cannot be discarded
• Keep mosquitoes outside by ensuring that doors and windows have screens and are kept closed when possible.

Worker Recommendations

Use EPA-registered insect repellentsexternal icon with one of the active these ingredients: DEET, picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US), IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search toolexternal icon. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second. Permethrin can be applied to clothing and gear. Wear clothing that covers hands, arms, legs, and other exposed skin. Wear hats with mosquito netting to protect the face and neck. Remove standing water (for example, tires, buckets, barrels) to reduce places where mosquitoes lay eggs Workers who develop symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease should report this promptly to their supervisor and get medical attention.

Insect bite Resources
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