Vectors and Vector
Borne Diseases
Group Members- Khalissia Whitter,
Adrianna Martin, Breanna Pagon, Toni Ann
Hill .
MAIN TERMS TO MAKE NOTE OF
Vector- A vector is a living organism that
transmits an infectious agent from an infected
animal to a human or another animal. Vectors
are frequently arthropods, such as mosquitoes,
ticks, flies, fleas and lice.
Mosquito- A mosquito is an insect that bites and
feeds on the blood of humans and other animals.
While male mosquitoes only eat nectar, females
need blood meals in order to produce viable
eggs that will hatch.
Vector- Borne Disease - Vector-borne diseases
are infections transmitted by the bite of infected
arthropod species, such as mosquitoes, ticks,
triatomine bugs, sandflies, and blackflies.
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VECTORS
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A disease vector is any living organism that transmits an infectious disease to humans (or in
agriculture to animals and plants). A vector picks up the disease from an infected host or the
environment then transfers it to a new host through a bite when feeding or by mechanical
transmission such as defecating on the skin or from particles on the outside of the body.
Here is a list of the names of different types of vectors ( Some you may
even know) :
• Mosquito
• Lice
• Tick
• Sand Fly
• Flea
• Black Fly
• Bed Bugs
• Aquatic snail
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Annoying Mosquitoes
A mosquito is an insect that bites and feeds on the blood of humans and other animals. While male
mosquitoes only eat nectar, females need blood meals in order to produce viable eggs that will
hatch. For the most part, mosquitoes cause itchy hives when they bite. But they can also carry
diseases such as Zika, West Nile virus, dengue fever virus, malaria, chikungunya virus
and others. Scratching mosquito bites can also cause infection. Prevent mosquitoes in your yard by
draining standing water. Keep them out of your home by using window screens. To protect yourself,
always use insect repellent when outdoors, wear protective clothing, and avoid being outdoors Contoso
during peak mosquito hours of dawn and dusk. Pharmaceuticals
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Any natural or man-made collection of water can support mosquito production. While all mosquitoes need standing water to
reproduce, different mosquito species are found in different habitats. Some mosquitoes are considered “floodwater” species that
breed in temporary water habitats, while others are considered “permanent water” mosquitoes and breed in water sources that
remain for long periods of time. Other species have evolved so specifically that they will only lay their eggs in natural or artificial
containers.
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No matter what their preferred breeding habitat, all mosquitoes undergo the same four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and Pharmaceuticals
adult, with the larval and pupal stages always being aquatic. page 6
Mosquito Eggs
Depending on the particular species, the female mosquito lays her eggs either individually or
in attached groups called rafts. The eggs are placed either directly on the surface of still water,
along its edges, in tree holes, or in other areas that are prone to flooding from rain, irrigation,
or flooding. In some species, the eggs may hatch within a few days of being laid, with the
exact amount of time dependent on temperature. But if the egg is laid out of water and is
subject to intermittent flooding, the embryo may lay dormant for several years until the ideal
natural hatching conditions are met.
The Larval Stage
Once the egg hatches, the larval stage begins. The larvae of most mosquito species hang
suspended from the water surface because they need air to breath. An air tube, called a
siphon, extends from the larva’s posterior to the water surface and acts as a snorkel. Larvae
filter feed on aquatic microorganisms near the water’s surface. As they feed, larvae outgrow
their exterior covering and form a new exoskeleton, casting off the old ones. The length of the
larval stage ranges from 4 to 14 days, varying with species, water temperature, and food Contoso
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availability.
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The Pupal Stage
In the pupal stage, no feeding occurs, however the pupa must still breathe air at the water’s surface
and is sensitive to light, shadows, and other disturbances. Pupae are also physically active and
employ a rolling or tumbling action to escape to deeper water, which is why they are commonly
referred to as “tumblers”. The pupal stage lasts from 1 1/2 to 4 days, after which the pupa’s skin splits
along the back allowing the newly formed adult to slowly emerge and rest on the surface of the water.
Adult Mosquitoes
The male adult mosquito will usually emerge first and will linger near the breeding site, waiting for
the females. Mating occurs quickly after emergence due to high adult mortality rates. As much as
30% of the adult population can die per day. The females compensate for this high rate by laying
large numbers of eggs to assure the continuation of the species. Male mosquitoes will live only 6 or 7
days on average, feeding primarily on plant nectar, and do not take blood meals. Females with an
adequate food supply can live up to 5 months or longer, with the average female life span being about
6 weeks. To nourish and develop her eggs, the female usually must take a blood meal in addition to
plant nectar. After each blood meal, the female will oviposit (lay) her eggs, completing the life cycle. Contoso
While some species oviposit only once, others may lay eggs several times over the course of their Pharmaceuticals
lives. page 8
MOSQUITO BORN DISEASES
Mosquito-borne diseases are spread to
people and animals by the bite of an infected
mosquito. The viruses that cause these
diseases include West Nile virus (WNV),
eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), St.
Louis encephalitis (SLE), La Crosse
encephalitis, and western equine
encephalomyelitis (WEE). These infections
are not contagious (“catching”).
Other common types of mosquito-borne
diseases include malaria, dengue, West Nile
virus, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika.
Outbreaks are most common in warm
climates. In cooler places, mosquitoes start
biting in the spring when the temperature at
night reaches 60 degrees and continue until
the first hard frost in the fall. Warm spells in Contoso
the winter can also cause mosquitoes to Pharmaceuticals
become active. page 9
Signs and Symptoms
Most children, who get one of these viruses,
have few signs or symptoms. Common signs
are mild fever, headache, body aches, nausea,
vomiting and a rash. However, severe illness
can occur if the virus affects the membranes
of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)or
the brain itself (encephalitis).
PLEASE NOTE!!
A symptom is a manifestation of
disease apparent to the patient himself,
while a sign is a manifestation of
disease that the physician perceives.
The sign is objective evidence of
disease; a symptom,
subjective. Symptoms represent the Contoso
complaints of the patient, and if severe, Pharmaceuticals
they drive him to the doctor's office. page 10
TREATMENT
Since there is no vaccine or medicine to protect against these diseases, prevention is very
important. In severe cases, a hospital stay may be needed.
Preventing Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Use insect repellant with 30% DEET. (Do not use DEET on children younger than 2 months.) Do not
use a product that combines repellant with sunscreen
To use:
•Apply to your hands first then rub it on your child. Do not apply over cuts or wounds.
•Avoid the child’s eyes and mouth. Use lightly on the ears.
•Do not apply under clothing. If repellant gets on clothing, wash the clothes before they are worn again.
•Bathe your child with soap and water and rinse with clear water to remove repellant before he or she
goes to bed.
•Keep repellent out of the reach of children and pets.
Other ways to prevent mosquito-borne diseases:
•Use screens in windows to keep mosquitoes out.
•Empty any standing water from flowerpots, wading pools, buckets and other sources because these are
breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Contoso
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•Keep children indoors at dusk and at dawn. Mosquitoes are most active at these times.
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VECTOR CONTROL
Vector control is any method to limit or eradicate the
mammals, birds, insects or other arthropods which transmit
disease pathogens. The most frequent type of vector control is
mosquito control using a variety of strategies. Several of the
"neglected tropical diseases" are spread by such vectors.
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VECTOR CONTROL
Common preventive measures are:
Habitat and environmental control
Removing or reducing areas where vectors can easily breed can help limit their
growth. For example, stagnant water removal, destruction of old tires and cans
which serve as mosquito breeding environments, and good management of used
water can reduce areas of excessive vector incidence.
Further examples of environmental control is by reducing the prevalence of open
defecation or improving the designs and maintenance of pit latrines. This can
reduce the incidence of flies acting as vectors to spread diseases via their contact
with feces of infected people.
Reducing contact
Limiting exposure to insects or animals that are known disease vectors can reduce
infection risks significantly. For example, bed nets, window screens on homes, or
protective clothing can help reduce the likelihood of contact with vectors. To be
effective this requires education and promotion of methods among the population
to raise the awareness of vector threats. Contoso
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VECTOR CONTROL
Chemical control
Insecticides, larvicides, rodenticides, Lethal ovitraps and repellents can be used to
control vectors. For example, larvicides can be used in mosquito breeding zones;
insecticides can be applied to house walls or bed nets, and use of personal
repellents can reduce incidence of insect bites and thus infection. The use of
pesticides for vector control is promoted by the World Health Organization(WHO)
and has proven to be highly effective.
Biological control
The use of natural vector predators, such as bacterial toxins
or botanical compounds, can help control vector populations. Using fish that
eat mosquito larvae, the use cat fish to eat up mosquito larvae in pond can
eradicate the mosquito population, or reducing breeding rates by introducing
sterilized male tsetse flies have been shown to control vector populations and
reduce infection risks.
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LET’S SEE
WHAT
YOU
REMEMBER?
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Thank YouFor
Listening and
We Hope You
learned
something !!
GOOD
BYE
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