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.