Vector-Borne Diseases

What are Vector-Borne Diseases?

Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria that are spread by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods.

The Vector-Borne Diseases Program, housed within CEDEP, conducts surveillance on mosquito-borne, tick-borne, and other vector-borne diseases to measure the burden and risk of diseases in Tennessee. The program also performs education and outreach activities on vector-borne diseases by using data collected by environmentalists, laboratorians, and epidemiologists.

Mosquito- and tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Tennessee as well as nationally. The Tennessee Department of Health aims to inform the state's healthcare community about the latest vector-borne disease developments in order to identify those who may be at greater risk and increase the timeliness and accuracy of diagnoses.