Disease vector
Disease Vector
A Disease Vector (/diːˈziːz ˈvɛktər/) is an organism that does not cause disease itself but spreads infection by conveying pathogens from one host to another.
Etymology
The term "vector" comes from the Latin vector, meaning "carrier". In the context of disease, it refers to an organism that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen into another living organism.
Types of Disease Vectors
Disease vectors are typically blood-sucking insects which ingest disease-producing microorganisms during a blood meal from an infected host (human or animal) and later inject it into a new host during their subsequent blood meal. Some common types of disease vectors include:
- Mosquitoes: These are vectors for many diseases, including Malaria, Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, and West Nile Virus.
- Ticks: Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia.
- Fleas: Fleas are vectors for diseases such as Plague and Murine Typhus.
- Sandfly: Sandflies can transmit diseases like Leishmaniasis and Sandfly Fever.
Prevention and Control
Prevention and control of disease vectors is a key strategy in preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases. This can be achieved through various methods such as insecticide use, bed nets, and vaccines. Public health education and awareness are also crucial in preventing vector-borne diseases.
Related Terms
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Host (biology): An organism that harbors a parasitic, a mutualistic, or a commensalist guest (symbiont), typically providing nourishment and shelter.
- Vector-borne disease: A disease caused by pathogens that are transmitted by vectors.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Disease vector
- Wikipedia's article - Disease vector
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski