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VECTOR-BORNE TESTING

Your trusted partner in addressing vector-borne diseases

Labcorp supports your commitment to expertly diagnosing and managing vector-borne infections through comprehensive diagnostic capabilities and a wealth of scientific data and insights.

Vector-borne testing solutions

Our comprehensive vector-borne testing portfolio supports a differential and timely diagnosis of diseases caused by pathogens transmitted by insects. It includes:
 

Testing for tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and more

Testing for mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, encephalitis, chikungunya virus, dengue fever, West Nile and Zika viruses and more

Why partner with Labcorp

We offer guidance and tools to help providers deepen their understanding and develop comfort with diagnosing and managing vector-borne diseases, featuring:

Guideline-driven highly sensitive and specific molecular (PCR) and serological blood testing options for tick- and mosquito-borne diseases

Co-infection profiles reflecting real-world exposure risks, including the ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis PCR profile and antibody panel, and Tickborne Disease Antibody Profile

Testing for alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy condition that can lead from mild to severe allergic reactions to red meat and other mammalian products

General health testing to ensure seamless management of affected patients

Education, including diagnostic algorithms and decision trees to guide testing, insights on emerging pathogens, shifts in geographic distribution of vectors and more

Frequently asked questions

A range of vector-borne illnesses have been identified in the U.S.. Refer to a table below for more details including the regions.

Diseases

Description

Common regions

Tick-borne diseases

Lyme disease

Most common tick-borne disease; causes rash, fever, and joint pain.

Northeast and Upper Midwest (e.g., Pennsylvania, New York)1

Rocky mountain spotted fever

Can be fatal if untreated; causes fever, rash, and muscle pain.

Southeast and South Central U.S. (e.g., North Carolina, Oklahoma)1

Anaplasmosis & ehrlichiosis

Bacterial infections causing flu-like symptoms.

Northeast, Midwest, and South1

Mosquito-borne diseases

West Nile virus

Most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S.; often asymptomatic but can cause severe neurological illness.

Nationwide, especially California and Texas1

Zika virus

Rare but concerning due to birth defects; spread by Aedes mosquitoes.

Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico2

Dengue fever

Occasional outbreaks; causes high fever, rash, and joint pain.

Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico3

Chikungunya

Causes fever and severe joint pain; rare in the U.S.

Southern states and territories2

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)

Rare but serious; can cause brain inflammation.

Atlantic and Gulf Coast states3

Vector-borne illnesses can present a wide range of symptoms depending on the specific disease and the pathogen involved (virus, bacteria, or parasite). However, many of them share common early symptoms, which can escalate if not treated promptly, including4:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue / weakness
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Rash
  • Nausea / vomiting
  • Neurological symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or paralysis in severe cases (e.g., West Nile virus, EEE)
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Respiratory issues like coughing or difficulty breathing in some viral infections
  • Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or abdominal pain in diseases like malaria or Chagas disease

Testing depends on the type of pathogen (virus, bacteria, or parasite) and the suspected vector (mosquito, tick, flea, etc.). Common methods include:

  • Molecular testing
  • Serologic testing
  • Microscopy
  • Culture testing

For the disease-specific guidelines, refer to CDC.

No. A negative PCR result does not rule out dengue virus, especially if the testing occurs after day 7 of illness.5 In later stages, the virus may no longer be detectable by PCR, so serological tests (like IgM and IgG antibody tests) are needed to assess recent or past infection.

Providers may be reluctant to test for Lyme disease due to limitations in current testing methods, which can miss early or late-stage infections. Insurance and financial barriers often make advanced testing or long-term treatment inaccessible, discouraging providers from pursuing diagnosis. 6 Additionally, stigma within the medical community around chronic Lyme disease can lead to hesitancy in engaging with complex or controversial cases.

Ready for more?

Explore these additional resources to ensure an accurate diagnosis and proper management of vector-borne illnesses
 

References:

1. Insight Pest Solutions. Insect-borne diseases in the United States map. Insight Pest Solutions. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://insightpest.com/insect-borne-diseases-united-states-map/
2. Ochsner Health. What diseases do mosquitoes carry in the United States? Ochsner Health. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/what-illnesses-do-we-get-from-mosquitos-and-how-can-we-avoid-them/ 
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About mosquitoes in the United States. CDC. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html
4. WebMD. What are vector-borne diseases? WebMD. Accessed November 20, 2025. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-vector-borne-diseases 
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Molecular tests for dengue virus. CDC. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/diagnosis-testing/molecular-tests-for-dengue-virus.html
6. Johnson LB, Maloney EL. Access to Care in Lyme Disease: Clinician Barriers to Providing Care. Healthcare (Basel). 2022;10(10):1882. Published 2022 Sep 27. doi:10.3390/healthcare10101882