Question

List 5 epidemiological environmental factors that affect vector biology and behavior.

Answer 1

The environmental Factors related to vector born diseases such as animal husbandry and Agriculture, Deforestation,Water control projects, Loss of biodiversity, Urbanization, climate change and Introduction of alien species. All these factors are related to the spread of vector born diseases directly or indirectly. The physical, social, biological, cultural, and other dimensions of the environment commonly interrelated and influence the health status of individuals and populations.

The environment provides the food, water, air,energy, pests and plague they battle and the seas, mountain, lakes, plants, streams, and animals on which, they depend upon for their survival.

A vector is an insect or any living carrier that spreads an infectious agent from an infected person or animal or its wastes to a vulnerable individual. The organism may or may not pass the developmental cycle within the vector.

Human infection caused by viruses, parasites, and bacteria that are passed on by the sandflies, mosquitoes, ticks, mites, triatomine bugs, tsetse flies, lice and snails.

Mosquitoes are carriers of Chikungunya, Dengue fever, Malaria, Japanese encephalitis, etc. the Sandflies are the carrrrier of Leishmaniasis, and other Vector born Diseases.Ticks spread Lyme disease, Relapsing fever, etc.

Increased precipitation due to change in climate has the potential to increase the quality and number of breeding sites for vectors such as snails, mosquitoes, and ticks and the density of vegetation, disturbing the accessibility of resting sites.

Due to urbanization, the migrants to new areas may be deficient in immunity to the widespread vector-borne diseases.