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Vector-borne Diseases

Vectors

Vectors are living organisms that can transmit infectious pathogens between humans, or from animals to humans. Many of these vectors are bloodsucking insects, which ingest disease-producing microorganisms during a blood meal from an infected host (human or animal) and later transmit it into a new host after the pathogen has replicated. Often, once a vector becomes infectious, they are capable of transmitting the pathogen for the rest of its life during each subsequent bite/blood meal.

Vector-borne diseases

Vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors. Every year there are more than 700,000 deaths from diseases such as malaria, dengue, schistosomiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and onchocerciasis.

The burden of these diseases is highest in tropical and subtropical areas, and they disproportionately affect the poorest populations. Since 2014, major outbreaks of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika have afflicted populations, claimed lives, and overwhelmed health systems in many countries. Other diseases such as Chikungunya, leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis cause chronic suffering, life-long morbidity, disability and occasional stigmatisation.

Vector-borne diseases by their Vector

The following table is a non-exhaustive list of vector-borne disease, ordered according to the vector by which it is transmitted. The list also illustrates the type of pathogen that causes the disease in humans. 

Vector

Disease Caused

Type of Pathogen

Mosquito

Aedes

Chikungunya

Dengue

Lymphatic filariasis

Rift Valley fever

Yellow Fever

Zika

Virus

Virus

Parasite

Virus

Virus

Virus

Anopheles

Lymphatic filariasis

Malaria

Parasite

Parasite

Culex

Japanese encephalitis

Lymphatic filariasis

West Nile fever

Virus

Parasite

Virus

Aquatic snails

Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis)

Parasite

Blackflies

Onchocerciasis (river blindness)

Parasite

Fleas

Plague (transmitted from rats to humans)

Tungiasis

Bacteria

Ectoparasite

Lice

Typhus

Louse-borne relapsing fever

Bacteria

Bacteria

Sandflies

Leishmaniasis

Sandfly fever (phlebotomus fever)

Parasite

Virus

Ticks

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Lyme disease

Relapsing fever (borreliosis)

Rickettsial diseases (eg: spotted fever and Q fever)

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tularaemia

Virus

Bacteria

Bacteria

Bacteria

Virus

Bacteria

Triatome bugs

Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)

Parasite

Tsetse flies

Sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis)

Parasite

General Travel Advice Disclaimer - here

The following articles may provide information and assistance to understand some of the aforementioned vector-borne diseases.

⚕️ People planning to visit countries affected by these diseases and more should seek advice from their doctor or a travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departing.

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