Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by pathogens and parasites in human populations. This presentation contains key facts about these diseases and global and European trends. WHO/Europe is making this presentation available to countries and partner organizations for use in their campaigns for World Health Day 2014.

1. World Health Day
2014
Vector-borne diseases
#Just1Bite

2. Vector-borne diseases
• Caused by pathogens in human populations.
• Transmitted by vectors: living organisms that can
transmit pathogens between human beings or from
animals to humans.
• Transferring the pathogens received during a blood
meal from an infected host into a new host during the
next blood meal.
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Vector-borne diseases2

3. Key facts – global
• Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of the
estimated global burden of all infectious diseases.
• Malaria caused an estimated 627 000 deaths in
2012: more than any other vector-borne disease.
• The fastest growing vector-borne disease is dengue
fever, with a thirtyfold increase in disease incidence
over the last 50 years.
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4. Examples of vector-borne diseases
in the WHO European Region
World Health Day 2014
Vector-borne diseases
Mosquito-borne
• Dengue fever
• Chikungunya
• Malaria
• West Nile fever
(WNF)
Sandfly-borne
• Leishmaniasis
Tick-borne
• Lyme disease
• Tick-borne
encephalitis (TBE)
• Crimean–Congo
haemorrhagic fever
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5. Key facts – WHO European Region
• 77 000 Europeans on
average fall sick from
vector-borne diseases
every year.
• Mosquito species, such as
Aedes aegypti, are re-
emerging, and
Ae. albopictus is emerging.
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Aedes aegypti distribution – October 2013
Ae. albopictus distribution – October 2013
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Source: ECDC

6. “There is a clear warning
signal to the European Region
that diseases carried by
vectors may spread and
intensify in the years ahead.
This is not the time to lower
our guard.”
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– Zsuzsanna Jakab
WHO Regional Director for Europe
Message from the Regional
Director

7. Increasing and decreasing trends
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
Lyme disease Malaria WNF TBE Crimean Leishmania
Number of cases: 1990, 2000, 2010
1990 2000 2010
Source: WHO centralized information system for infectious diseases (CISID) (http://data.euro.who.int/cisid).
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8. Growing public health concern
A combination of factors increases the threat of vector-borne
diseases in the WHO European Region:
• changing social and economic conditions;
• globalized travel and trade;
• increased urbanization;
• climate change;
• environmental and ecosystem changes.
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9. Malaria in Europe
• Dramatic fall in locally
acquired cases
• 3 countries reporting
locally acquired cases in
2013: Greece, Tajikistan
and Turkey
• Imported cases in Europe
in 2013: 5000
Source: WHO centralized information system for
infectious diseases (CISID)
(http://data.euro.who.int/cisid).
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Vector-borne diseases9

10. Dengue in Europe
• Viral infection transmitted
by Aedes mosquitoes
• In Europe, second only to
malaria in causing
hospitalizations after
travellers return from
abroad
© Francis Schaffner/IPZ
• More than 3000 cases
reported in the last
three years
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11. Lyme disease in Europe
• Bacterial disease transmitted to
human beings through bites from
infected ticks
• Most common vector-borne disease
in the WHO European Region, with
the highest incidence reported in
central Europe
• Over 360 000 cases in Europe in the
last two decades
© CDC/ James Gathany
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12. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
• Viral infectious disease
transmitted by the
bites of infected ticks
• 5000–12 000 cases
reported in Europe
each year
• Safe and effective vaccine
against the TBE virus
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Average TBE incidence
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13. Leishmaniasis in Europe
• Leishmania is a parasitic
protozoan transmitted
through the bite of infected
female sandflies.
• It causes three main forms of
disease.
• Leishmaniasis is neglected
and poorly reported.
Endemic leishmaniasis in European Region
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14. Public health action
3 phases of vector and disease prevention
and control
• Control the vector
• Prevent the disease
• Limit the spread
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15. Phase 1. Control the vector (1)
• Integrated vector control to prevent the introduction,
establishment and spread of the vector
• Measures for early detection and containment
• Robust methods for monitoring and evaluation
• Social mobilization for vector control
• Information for the public on how to
reduce vectors in the environment
through risk communication and
community mobilization
• Increased capacity for vector control
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16. Phase 1. Control the vector (2)
Advice on:
• long-lasting insecticide-treated bed
nets (where necessary);
• indoor residual spraying;
• outdoor spraying;
• environmental management
(reduction of breeding habitats,
biological control, genetic control
and waste management)
• housing modifications
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17. Phase 2. Prevent the disease
Action needed where the introduction of
vectors could not be avoided
• Coordination of disease surveillance in the
population at risk is with vector surveillance, to
prevent outbreaks
• Advice on personal protection measures
(clothing, insect repellents, etc.), prevention,
and vaccines (e.g. for TBE).
• Blood and body fluid safety
• Food safety.
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18. Phase 3. Limit the spread
Measures to avoid large outbreaks, particularly in newly
affected areas
• Inform and educate the public
• Raise awareness among health professionals
• Ensure laboratories are equipped
for early diagnosis
• Ensure early detection and case
management
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19. Individuals and families can
contribute
• Know which vectors carry disease
• Use proven vector-control tools
• Be informed about vaccination and disease
prevention
• Cooperate with local authorities in vector control
• Take part in health education in the
community
• Ensure environmental management around
and in homes
© Francis Schaffner/IPZ
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20. Current challenges
• Emerging insecticide resistance
• Lack of expertise in vector control
• Integrated surveillance
• Sanitation
• Pesticide safety
• Environmental change
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21. WHO response
European and global commitments
• Regional framework for surveillance and
control of invasive mosquito vectors and
re-emerging vector-borne diseases, 2014–2020
• World Health Assembly resolution WHA60.13
on control of leishmaniasis
• Regional strategy: from malaria control to elimination
in the WHO European Region 2006–2015.
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22. WHO Regional Office for Europe
response
• Working with partners including the European
Commission, the European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European
Mosquito Control Association (EMCA)
• Assisting countries in disease surveillance, prevention
and control, following the International Health
Regulations
• Providing training and guidelines on case management
and vector control
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Vector-borne diseases22

23. World Health Day 2014
Protect yourself from
diseases carried by vectors
Hashtag: #Just1Bite
Website:
www.euro.who.int/WHD2014
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