Vector-borne diseases
Vector or insect-borne diseases are transmitted by the bite of an infected species, like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.
Pathogens are transmitted between humans, or from animals to humans.
Many vectors are blood sucking insects.
Weather, land use and our behavior influences vector activity.
Some vector-borne diseases, like plague, have been around for thousands of years, while others like Zika are new.
Vector borne-diseases are a global problem.
They account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than
700 000 deaths annually.
The burden of these diseases is highest in tropical and subtropical areas, and they disproportionately affect the poorest populations.
Many of these tropical diseases are also migrating into traditionally cooler areas due to climate change.
Mosquitos are one of the deadliest animals, since they are vectors for a number of diseases.
Nine new germs spread by ticks and mosquitos have been identified since 2004 in the US alone.
Malaria is the most deadly vector-borne disease and is a leading cause of childhood deaths.
Dengue is the seeing rapid growth with 30-fold increase in cases since the 1950s.
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