Vector-Borne Zoonotic Diseases

Abstract

The global health program of the World Health Organization recognizes zoonoses as a significant threat, encompassing around 250 diseases transmissible from animals to humans. Zoonotic diseases, often vector-borne, pose a dual threat by causing severe illnesses in humans and endangering animal health, leading to substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. Vector-borne zoonoses, transmitted by creatures like mosquitoes and ticks, have far-reaching consequences for public health and the environment. These diseases, including West Nile virus, Malaria, Lyme disease, and dengue fever, contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality. Vectors act as bridges, facilitating the transmission of infectious agents between animals and humans, potentially sparking epidemics or pandemics. The environmental impact is profound, influenced by factors like temperature changes and ecological disruptions, altering the dynamics of these diseases. The economic toll is substantial, with higher medical expenses, lost productivity, and reduced agricultural output in affected regions. The interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health necessitates a collaborative One Health approach for effective management and prevention. Vector-borne zoonoses remain a concern due to urbanization, climate change, and globalization, posing challenges to surveillance, diagnosis, and control. Vectors, such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, and lice, play a crucial role in transmitting infectious agents actively or passively. Mosquito-borne diseases, influenced by complex interactions between the environment and population dynamics, present a serious global health challenge. This chapter explores various aspects of vector-borne zoonoses, emphasizing their significance and the need for collaborative strategies to address emerging threats.