Primary prevention measures for vector-borne diseases

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are viral, parasitic and bacterial illnesses transmitted to humans through vectors such as mosquitoes, sand flies and ticks. They are classified as biological hazards under the WHO health-emergency and disaster risk management framework. In this narrative study, it summarized 10 preventive measures in personal, environmental and household levels. Effectiveness and limitations of each preventive measure have been addressed. Since the management of these measures only focused on a narrow spectrum of VBDs and vector types, the scope of future VBD research is suggested to be broadened to other vectors.

Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator Prof Emily CHAN in The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK. Prof Chan is the director of Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC). Her research focuses on climate change and planetary health, health and environmental co-benefits, disaster and humanitarian medicine, global and planetary health, violence and injury epidemiology and etc.