Vector- Borne Diseases

What is a vector?

At its broadest definition, a vector is an organism or object that moves a pathogen (germ) from one environment/host to another. Typically, but not always, the vectors are blood-sucking arthropods.

What is an arthropod?

An arthropod is an animal with jointed legs, segmented bodies, and a hard exoskeleton. Examples of arthropods include crabs, lobsters, spiders, centipedes, insects, and more!

What is a vector-borne disease?

Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by germs spread by infected vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods. Vector-borne diseases make up 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths each year. Below are the vector-borne diseases that are reportable in Delaware:

Alpha-gal Syndrome
Anaplasmosis
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosis
Lyme Disease
Powassan Virus
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis
Tularemia
Typhus Fever

California serogroup viruses
Chikungunya
Eastern equine encephalitis
Dengue Fever
Malaria
St. Louis Encephalitis Virus
West Nile Virus
Western equine encephalitis
Yellow Fever
Zika virus

Click the images below to learn more about vector-borne diseases:

Vector-borne Diseases in Delaware News

2024

Press Releases

May 10, 2024: DPH Recognizes May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month
July 26, 2024: Delaware’s First 2024 Evidence of West Nile Virus Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens
August 30, 2024: Delaware Confirms Initial Cases of West Nile Virus in a Human, Horses for 2024

Other Media

Annual Vector-borne Disease Reports

2023

Travel Advisories for Vector-borne Diseases

CDC uses travel advisories to inform travelers about global health risks during outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters, and to provide advice about protective actions travelers can take to prevent infection or adverse health effects.