Vector is an agent that acts as an intermediate carrier of the pathogen. Many insects and animals acts as vectors. Diseases transmitted by vectors are called vector borne diseases. These vectors can transfer infecting agents from an infected person to another healthy person. Some of the insect vector borne diseases are Malaria, Filaria, Chikungunya, Dengue, and the diseases which are transmitted through animals are Bird flu and Swine flu.
- Malaria continues to be one of the major health problems of developing countries. Malaria is caused by protozoan parasite Plasmodium. Four different species of Plasmodium namely, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. falciparum and P. ovale cause malaria. Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is malignant and fatal
- Chikungunya, which is caused by single stranded RNA vims, is transmitted in humans by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquito during the day time. It causes severe and persistent joint pain, body rashes, headache and fever. Joint pains can last for a very long time.
- Dengue is known as break bone fever. The name break bone fever was given because of the contortions caused due to the intense joint and muscle pain. It is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person.
