Arboviral diseases

Arboviral disease (Arthropod-borne disease) is a general term used to describe infections caused by a group of viruses spread to people by the bite of infected arthropods (insects) such as mosquitoes and ticks.

Arboviruses are arthropod-borne viruses where the arthropod is usually the primary host and the vertebrate the secondary host (not essential for the survival of the viral population). Arboviruses are maintained in nature in cycles involving blood-feeding arthropod vectors and susceptible vertebrate hosts. An infected arthropod transmits virus to a vertebrate host in the process of feeding. The host becomes infected and develops viremia of sufficient level and duration to infect other vectors, and the cycle is continued when a subsequently feeding vector feeds on the infected vertebrate.