+44 (0) 1444 412171 info@mentor-initiative.net Home Who are we What we do Where We Work Work with us News & Information Vector Borne Disease A vector-borne disease is caused by a pathogenic microorganism transmitted by an arthropod or other agent. Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the world, spreading diseases such as Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, Zika and Malaria. Vectors such as sandflies, black flies, tsetse flies and mosquitoes cause 17% of all infectious disease burden. Transmission of vector-borne disease requires at least three different organisms: Pathogenic agent (causes the disease e.g. a bacterium, virus or fungus) Vector (carries the disease and disperses reproductive structure) A human host According to WHO, there are more than 1 billion cases and over 1 million deaths from vector borne diseases a year globally. These devastating diseases have an overwhelming impact in developing countries in the tropics. Many different factors such as climate change, growing urbanization and changes in agricultural methods cause levels of disease transmission to fluctuate. People displaced and caught up in conflict or natural crises are even more vulnerable to VBD since little or no shelter and poor sanitation increases exposure to vector contact. Alongside malnutrition in the poorest communities, multiple infections decrease the ability of the immune system, meaning that the body cannot fight preventable diseases. With our expertise and experience in vector borne disease, MENTOR works to educate others of the epidemiology of different types of diseases and how to prioritize key control measures. Through implementing evidence-based control programmes across the world, MENTOR provides those most in need with prevention, surveillance and control of vector borne disease. Chikungunya Cholera Dengue Ebola Leishmaniasis Lymphatic Filariasis Malaria Onchocerciasis Rift Valley Fever Schistosomiasis Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) Trachoma Typhoid Fever Yellow fever Chikungunya Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an enzootic virus and has been identified in over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The name “Chikungunya” derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia) as a result of the disease.[1] The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. Most commonly, the mosquitoes involved are of the species Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. They can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Both species are found biting outdoors, but Ae. aegypti will also feed indoors.13,[2] After the bite of an infected mosquito, onset of illness occurs usually between 4 and 8 days but can range from 2 to 12 days. Often symptoms in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue occurs. The disease is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever, frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain can be debilitating and usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks. As a result, the CHIKV can cause acute, subacute or chronic disease. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints.13,[3] As for dengue fever, there is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Treatment is primarily focusing at relieving the symptoms. There is no commercial chikungunya vaccine.13 [1] World Health Organization (2017). Factsheets – Chikungunya Virus. [2] Burt, F.J. et al. (2012). Chikungunya: a re-emerging virus. Lancet 2012; 379: 662–71. [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Chikungunya Virus – Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment. Click here to download the Integrated Vector Management in Humanitarian Emergencies Toolkit produced by The MENTOR Initiative & USAID ABOUT US The MENTOR Initiative saves lives in emergencies through tropical disease control and then stays to help people recover from crisis with dignity, working side by side with communities, health workers and health authorities to leave a lasting impact. WHERE WE WORK Emergency Team Angola Central African Republic Central African Republic Consortium Chad Kenya Liberia South Sudan Syria Yemen QUICK LINKS Privacy Notice & Cookie Policy Contact us Mentor Publications Press Articles Where We Work CONTACT US Headquarter Office 4th Floor (South Suite), Burns House, Harlands Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1PG England, United Kingdom Registered Office 4th Floor (South Suite), Burns House, Harlands Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1PG England, United Kingdom © 2019 The Mentor Initiative. All Rights Reserved. | Website Developed by LighthouseIT English