Vectorborne Diseases

A vector is an organism that can transmit infectious agents from one infected person or animal to another. Vectorborne diseases are responsible for an enormous amount of morbidity and mortality across the globe, although the heaviest burden falls on countries in tropical and subtropical areas. Weather (both temperature and rainfall) has an enormous effect on the prevalence of disease and on its range and geographical distribution. Scientists are concerned that climate change will extend the range of vector-borne diseases and increase the severity of seasonal epidemics.

A partial list of diseases that can be spread by vectors is shown below.

According to WHO, "Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases. The most deadly vector-borne disease, malaria, caused an estimated 627 000 deaths in 2012. However, the world's fastest growing vector-borne disease is dengue, with a 30-fold increase in disease incidence over the last 50 years."