Tropical and Infectious Diseases

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (VBZD) are infectious diseases that spread through vectors or animal hosts. Vector borne diseases like Dengue, malaria, Lyme disease in which an organisms like ticks, insects, or mites transmits a pathogen from one host to another that may be from human to human or can be transmitted from animal to humans. Commonly with increased virulence of the pathogen in the vector.

Zoonotic Diseases such as Avian Flu, animal flu, anthrax, bird flu can be spread from animals to humans by either contact with the animals or through vectors that transmit zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans. While many vectors borne diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and murine typhus are rarely seen, Many vectors borne diseases are climate sensitive and environmental changes associated with climate change are predictable to impact the occurrences and spreading of these diseases.