vectorborne

Vectorborne refers to diseases transmitted by vectors, which are organisms that carry pathogens from reservoirs to hosts. Most vectors are blood-feeding arthropods, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, sandflies, and triatomine bugs. Transmission typically occurs when a vector feeds on an infected individual and then bites a susceptible host, though some pathogens are transmitted through other means such as contamination of wounds or ingestion of vector materials.

Prominent vectorborne diseases include malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes; dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; Lyme disease, transmitted by Ixodes ticks; plague, transmitted by fleas; leishmaniasis, transmitted by sandflies; and sleeping sickness, transmitted by tsetse flies. The range and impact of these diseases depend on vector biology, climate, ecology, and human behavior.

Epidemiology varies widely by region and season. Vectorborne diseases are most burdensome in tropical and subtropical areas but are influenced by climate variability, urbanization, deforestation, and travel. Climate change can expand vector habitats and shift transmission patterns, posing new public health challenges.

Control and prevention rely on integrated strategies, including vector control (insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, larval source management), environmental management, vaccination where available, personal protection measures, and surveillance with rapid diagnostics. A One Health perspective that links human, animal, and environmental health guides policy and research, addressing issues such as insecticide resistance and vector ecology to reduce transmission effectively.