Vektorivälitteisiä

Vektorivälitteisiä refers to diseases transmitted by vectors, which are living organisms that carry and transmit pathogens from one host to another. These vectors are typically arthropods like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies, although other animals can also act as vectors. The pathogens can be viruses, bacteria, protozoa, or helminths.

The transmission cycle involves the vector acquiring the pathogen by feeding on an infected host. The pathogen then undergoes a developmental or reproductive stage within the vector, after which the vector can transmit it to a new, susceptible host during its next blood meal or through other means, such as defecation.

Examples of vektorivälitteisiä diseases include malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes, Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks, and West Nile virus, also spread by mosquitoes. The geographical distribution and incidence of these diseases are often influenced by factors such as climate, vector population density, host availability, and human activities. Control strategies often focus on reducing vector populations, preventing vector bites, and treating infected individuals.