Prevent Mosquito-borne Diseases at Work

Mosquitoes can transmit pathogens, which are germs that can cause disease. Anyone can get bitten by a mosquito, but outdoor workers are at greater risk.

This resource was developed in partnership with the Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Prevent Mosquito-borne Diseases at Work

Infographic: COVID-19 Controls

Description: Prevent Mosquito-borne Diseases at Work

Mosquitoes can transmit pathogens, which are germs that can cause disease. Anyone can get bitten by a mosquito, but outdoor workers are at greater risk.

Notable mosquito-borne diseases in Canada

  • West Nile virus
  • Jamestown Canyon virus
  • Snowshoe hare virus
  • Eastern equine encephalitis
  • St. Louis encephalitis
  • Lack of energy or movement

How mosquitoes spread pathogens to workers

  • A mosquito bites and feeds on the blood of a mammal or bird that has a pathogen
  • The mosquito now carries the pathogen
  • The infected mosquito can spread the pathogen to workers when it bites and feeds on their blood

There is currently no vaccine for mosquito-borne diseases. The best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Workers are most likely to be exposed to mosquitoes when they are:

  • Near stagnant water
  • In vegetated, wooded, shaded or damp areas
  • Outdoors between May and September
  • Working with or near animals known to be pathogen reservoirs
  • Working at dawn (first light) and dusk (just before dark) when mosquitoes are most active

Tips to prevent mosquito bites

  • Tightly cover water storage containers
  • Use insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin (always follow label directions)
  • Use mosquito nets when spending time in unscreened outdoor structures, if possible
  • When you’re outside, wear:
    • loose-fitting long pants and long-sleeved shirts
    • socks and a hat (try a mosquito net over your hat to protect your head)
    • light-coloured clothing (mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours)
    • permethrin-treated clothing (always follow label directions)

Reporting mosquito-borne diseases

If you get sick at work with a mosquito-borne disease, you will not make others sick. You should still seek medical care and get rest as necessary. Your employer may have to report it to the occupational health and safety regulator and the workers’ compensation board.

For more information: ccohs.ca/zoonotic-diseases

Document last updated on: 2024-03-06