Division of Vector-Borne Diseases

Vision: To create a future where vector-borne diseases no longer threaten public health Mission: Reduce illness and death from vector-borne diseases Goals: - Identify and detect vector-borne pathogens that cause diseases in people - Understand when, where, how often, and how people are exposed to vector-borne pathogens - Prevent exposure to vector-borne pathogens and mitigate consequences of infection - Implement vector-borne disease diagnostics, surveillance, control, and prevention programs Who we are The Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) is a national and international leader in researching, preventing, and controlling viruses and bacteria spread by vectors including mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Our staff includes entomologists, epidemiologists, molecular biologists, laboratorians, microbiologists, physicians, veterinarians, virologists, and zoologists. What are vector-borne diseases? Almost everyone has been bitten by a mosquito, tick, or flea. Vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread pathogens. A person who gets bitten by a vector and gets sick has a vector-borne disease. Some vector-borne diseases, like plague, have been around for thousands of years. Others, like Heartland virus disease and Bourbon virus disease, have been discovered recently.