Vector-borne diseases (VBD) (Animals)
Primary reference(s)
Verwoerd, D.W., 2015. Definition of a vector and a vector-borne disease. Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties (Paris), 34:29-31. World Organisation for Animal Health OIE. Accessed 7 November 2020.
Additional scientific description
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) encompass a variety of illnesses that can be transmitted among humans (e.g., malaria, dengue), among animals (e.g., African swine fever, East Coast fever), or from animals to humans (e.g., Nipah virus disease) (OIE, 2015a,b; WHO, 2020).
Many of these vectors are bloodsucking insects, and mosquitoes are the best known disease vector. Others include ticks, flies, sandflies, fleas, triatomine bugs and some species of freshwater aquatic snail (OIE, 2015a,b; WHO, 2020).
Examples of zoonotic VBDs include: Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis; Rift Valley fever; Japanese encephalitis; West Nile fever; Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever; Nipah virus disease; Q fever; Tularaemia; African trypanosomosis; and Chagas disease. Some of these VBDs are described in detail in other Hazard Information Profiles: African swine fever (BI0070), Q fever (BI0081), Rift Valley fever (BI0082) and trypanosomosis (BI0083). Metrics and numeric limits Not identified.
Metrics and numeric limits
Not identified.
Key relevant UN convention / multilateral treaty
International Health Regulations (2005), 3rd ed. (WHO, 2016).
WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) (WTO, 1994).
UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - UN Model Regulations Model Regulations Nature, Purpose and Significance of the Recommendations (UNECE, no date).
Examples of drivers, outcomes and risk management
Drivers: Vector-borne diseases infected mosquitoes (OIE, 2015a).
Outcomes: High fever, abortion, and depending on the pathogen, death of infected animals and humans, spread of infection, trade/travel ban (OIE, 2015b).
Risk management: vaccination programme, movement control, improve biosecurity (OIE, 2015b).
Climate-driven fluctuations in environmental conditions, such as drought, flood, rainfall, wind and unpredictable weather have a direct influence on the disease burden from bacteria, parasites and their vectors. Work is being carried out to improve prevention, preparedness, early detection and early response to animal health threats and emergencies that could be triggered by climate change (FAO, 2020).
Progress has been made in recent years in developing policies, operational frameworks and pilot initiatives on animal healthbased adaptation to climate change, with vector-borne diseases as priority. These represent excellent opportunities for stronger and more coherent linkages between applied research and public health policy (Campbell-Lendrum et al., 2015).
References
Campbell-Lendrum, D., L. Manga, M. Bagayoko and J. Sommerfeld, 2015. Climate change and vector-borne diseases: what are the implications for public health research and policy? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B, 370:20130552. doi:
FAO, 2020. Climate Change and Animal Health. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Accessed 6 November 2020.
OIE, 2015a. New Developments in Major Vector-borne Diseases. Part I: An overview. Scientific and Technical Review, 34(1). World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Accessed 7 November 2020.
OIE, 2015b. New Developments in Major Vector-borne Diseases. Part II: Important diseases for veterinarians. Scientific and Technical Review, Vol. 34(2). World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Accessed 7 November 2020.
UNECE, no date. UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - UN Model Regulations Model Regulations Nature, Purpose and Significance of the Recommendations. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Accessed 4 October 2020.
WHO, 2016. International Health Regulations (2005), 3rd ed. World Health Organization (WHO). Accessed 3 October 2020.
WHO, 2020. Vector-borne diseases. Accessed 6 May 2021.
WTO, 1994. The WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). World Trade Organization (WTO). Accessed 4 October 2020.