Relating to a disease or infectious agent transmitted by arthropods, which include insects (like mosquitoes and ticks), arachnids (like spiders and mites), and crustaceans (like crabs). These creatures act as vectors, carrying pathogens from one host to another, often through biting or feeding. The term highlights the crucial role of these invertebrates in the epidemiology of many significant human and animal diseases. Understanding arthropod-borne transmission is vital for disease prevention and control efforts.
Arthropod-borne meaning with examples
- The spread of malaria is a classic example of an arthropod-borne disease. Mosquitoes, specifically female Anopheles mosquitoes, transmit the *Plasmodium* parasite when they feed on human blood. Public health interventions focus on mosquito control, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, to interrupt the parasite's transmission cycle and prevent the disease from spreading.
- Lyme disease, a common illness in North America and Europe, is an arthropod-borne illness transmitted by the bite of infected ticks. These ticks carry the bacterium *Borrelia burgdorferi*. Prevention involves avoiding tick-infested areas, using insect repellent, and promptly removing ticks if they attach to the skin to reduce the risk of the disease.
- West Nile virus is an example of an arthropod-borne pathogen transmitted by mosquitoes. Birds are often the reservoir hosts, and mosquitoes become infected by biting infected birds, then transmit the virus to humans and other mammals. Prevention often involves mosquito control and public awareness of the risks during peak mosquito activity.
- Researchers are constantly studying novel arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) that can pose a significant health risk. Chikungunya, Zika, and dengue fever are examples of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, that continue to be challenges, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, that are also the focus of vaccine development to curb outbreaks.