Change Your World Week Winter 2022 (Archived)

Vector borne diseases are an infectious disease that make humans sick. The infectious disease is caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites that is transmitted by a vector. Vectors are living organisms that can transmit infectious pathogens between humans, and or from animal to humans. (WHO,2020) Many vectors are blood eating insects such as flies, lice, mosquitoes, and ticks. The infectious diseases can be spread by physical contact from the vector or by getting bite. Once the host comes infected, they will pass/spread the diseases the rest of their life. Vector borne diseases cause more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. (WHO,2020) These blood sucking vectors prefer warmer temperatures and thrive in hot and humid environments. 

With warming temperatures all around the world we will see an increase in Vector borne diseases. Our winters are getting warmer, and summers are getting hotter. Theses slight changes in our temperature are giving vectors more time to reproduce thanks to climate change. Climate change has also allowed some animals to move into new territory because theirs has been destroyed. The movement of animals increases the risk of contact with humans and animals making it that much easier for vectors to transfer the infection that much easier. 

Below on the graph pictured you can see how the temperature in the United States is getting warmer. This gives insects the opportunity to move farther and farther north that would normally stay south because of the warmer temperatures. Giving vectors more opportunities to spread and take over more territory and infect more people and animals. 

Source: (Lindsay, 2018)

How to prevents vector borne diseases for your family and self at home 

• Use insect repellent
• Be vaccinated against diseases prevalent to your area
• Wear long sleeved shirts and pants 
• Tuck pants into boots 
• Use window screens to keep mosquitoes out 
• Get rid of stagnant water so mosquitoes cant breed 
• Avoid contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodyily fluids of infected people or animals (Top, 2022)
• Keep animals up to date on vaccines and treatments 

How YOU can help fight climate change at home 

• Reduce your waste, recycle more
• Use less water by taking shorter showers, being smart when doing dishes, or shutting water off when brushing teeth
• Try walking or riding a bike if going somewhere close
• Switch to an electric car or take a public bus if available 
• Use less energy, turn the lights or TV off if not in the room, unplug appliances if not using 
• Use energy saving appliances at home 

Lindsey, R. (n.d.). New in Data Snapshots: Monthly maps of future U.S. temperatures for each decade of the 21st Century. New in Data Snapshots: Monthly maps of future U.S. temperatures for each decade of the 21st century | NOAA Climate.gov. Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/featured-images/new-data-snapshots-monthly-maps-future-us-temperatures-each-decade

Top tips how to avoid vector borne diseases (ENG). (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2022, from https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/246171/Top-tips-how-to-avoid-vector-borne-diseases-Eng.pdf

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Vector-borne diseases. World Health Organization. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases