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Public Health & Epidemiology vocabulary · Outbreaks and Transmission

Vector

Meaning in public health & epidemiology, with examples

/ˈvektə/nounCommon term

In public health & epidemiology, vector means: A living creature, such as a mosquito, tick or sandfly, that carries an infection from one person or animal to another.

In Turkish: vektör, taşıyıcı canlı

How it is used

Malaria, dengue, Lyme disease and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever are vector-borne diseases. Programmes focus on vector control: removing breeding sites, using bed nets and spraying insecticide.

Example sentences

  1. The tiger mosquito is a vector for dengue and chikungunya.

  2. Warmer winters are helping the vector spread to new regions.

Common collocations

  • vector-borne disease
  • vector control
  • mosquito vector
  • disease vector
  • zoonosisAn infectious disease that passes from animals to humans, such as rabies, brucellosis or avian influenza.
  • transmissionThe passing of an infection from one person, animal or source to another, for example through the air, by touch, through food and water or by insects.
  • endemicDescribes a disease that is always present in a particular area or population at a fairly constant, expected level.
  • One HealthAn approach that recognises that the health of people, animals and the environment is closely connected and brings these sectors together to prevent and control health threats.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Outbreaks and Transmission

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.