Vectors and Vector Borne Illnesses
How does a vector typically transmit an infection?
By biting an infected host and then transmitting the infection between two humans or from animal to human
What is the name of the vector that spreads malaria?
The Anopheles mosquito
What is the vector that spreads the Dengue virus?
The Aedes mosquito
What is the vector that transmits Lyme Disease?
The Ixodes tick
What are two examples of how we can stop the spread of lyme disease?
Provide equal access to care and disease management worldwide
Improve disease surveillance
Minimise human exposure to vectors
Accelerate vaccine development
Prioritise wetland management and elimination of vector breeding sites near populated areas
Investigate novel vector control methods
Vector borne diseases account for what percentage of infectious diseases?
17%
What are some early symptoms of Malaria?
Fever
Chills
Headache, muscle ache, fatigue
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Symptoms typically occur within 2 weeks of infection and typically last 2–7 days
In what life cycle stages can the Ixodes tick transmit Lyme disease?
Nymphs or adult females can spread bacteria during their next blood meal.
True or false: improving disease surveillance includes improving health education and public awareness?
True
It also includes community surveillance for early outbreak detection
What are two factors that affect the distribtion of vector borne diseases other than climate?
Land use
Socioeconomic and cultural factors
Pest control
Access to health care
Human responses to disease risk
Unplanned urbanization ( disruption of habitats)
What is the typical environment that the Anopheles mosquitoes thrive in?
These mosquitoes thrive in regions with warm temperatures, humid conditions, and high rainfall.
How often can a person become infected with dengue fever and what are some symptoms?
People can be infected several times in their lifetime
Symptoms include fever plus aches and pains, nausea, vomiting, and rash
What are the typical early and late symptoms of Lyme disease?
Symptoms of Lyme Disease include:
Fever
Joint pain
Fatigue
Later: Skin rash, irregular heartbeat
True or false: Exposure to vectors can be minimized by utilizing window screens, door screens, and bed nets
True
Examples include window and door screens, using bed nets, wearing protective clothing, and using insecticide or avoiding known vector habitats
In what way does climate change typically have a large impact on the spread of vector borne diseases?
Due to increasing temperatures and rising levels of rainfall
Why may malaria expand into new regions?
Because of the increasing temperatures due to climate change causing new habitats to become warmer
Where has the spread of Dengue increased dramatically?
In tropical countries worldwide in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, Asia, and Africa.
Why is there a large geographical spread of lyme disease with the changing climate?
This is because warmer temperatures increase the range of suitable tick habitat.
Give me an example of one key way in which climate change affects the spread of vector borne diseases
More areas will become suitable habitats for vectors due to warmer environments and increased rainfall
Warmer climates extend the disease transmission season
Temperature change can affect the behaviour of vectors.
Why may rates of Malaria actually decrease in some regions due to climate change?
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where climate change is expected to decrease rainfall, the number of mosquitoes may decrease actually decrease and therefore the transmission rates of malaria will be lower.
Why way rates of dengue fever transmission incease in of drought?
The Aedes mosquitoes breed in containers used for household water storage. The need for water storage containers will be at very high in areas that are experiencing drought in the face of climate change.
Other than becoming wider spread with increasing temperatures, what is another way in which the spread of Lyme disease is increased due to climate change?
Because tick activity depends on temperatures being above a certain minimum, shorter winters could also extend the period when ticks are active each year