Introduction to disease vectors

Vectors are living organisms that are capable of transmitting infectious agents – bacteria, viruses, parasites – between humans and animals.1–27 A large proportion of these vectors are arthropods; bloodsucking insects.4–20 They ingest the disease associated pathogens during a blood meal after biting an infected host (animal or human), and subsequently spread it by bitin g another potential host during a blood meal. Although mosquitoes are most associated with disease transmission,4,5,8–10,12–14,16,18 vector borne infections are those transmitted by the bite of a variety of infected arthropods that, in addition to mosquitoes, includes ticks (Figs.
Source: Disease a Month - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research