Vector-Borne Diseases

A vector-borne disease is one in which the disease causing agent is transmitted to a human through a source other than through direct human to human transmission. Some of the most common vectors responsible for disease transmission to humans are mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. The vectors themselves acquire the disease causing agent (pathogen) when feeding on animals that are infected. The vector than is able to transmit the disease on to another animal. 
(Original diagram)




mosquito.jpg

Important Vector Properties:

- Intermediate hosts, primarily insects
- Do not cause disease themselves 
- Spread infection
- Not susceptible to the pathogen (usually)
- Can serve as an amplification and  physiological step in pathogen's life cycle




Examples- Common Vector-Borne Diseases:

Disease carrying vectors can carry different types of disease agents, including viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic parasites:
*Learn specifically about Malaria and Dengue here.
(original chart)



3 comments:

  1. The way the vector properties are listed in bullet points is a bit confusing to me. I think in this case, shortening the points makes it a bit unclear. The info on this page is really good, though!

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  2. Following on Aidans comments - maybe it would be better to write this out under the header "Example vector-borne diseases" and start with a sentence like "Disease carrying vectors can carry different types of disease agents, including viruses (e.g. West Nile virus), bacteria (Lymes disease, Bubonic plague) and eukaryotic parasites (e.g. malaria, Leishmania).

    Also, what do the asterixes mean?

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  3. Also - is this your original figure/schematic (above)? If so, make sure that is obvious!

    ReplyDelete