We all have been bitten at some point by a mosquito, tick, or some other arthropod. They spread life-threatening diseases while taking a blood-meal (hence referred to as vectors). Nearly ~17% of all infectious diseases are vector borne (VB) that result in over 700, 000 deaths globally. In the US alone, VB disease cases tripled from 2004 to 2016, and nine new pathogens spread by mosquitoes and ticks have been discovered or introduced since 2004.
This course will broadly introduce and examine vectors, VB diseases, and their epidemiology. There may be a few modifications to the topics covered, as we move along the course. Suggestions are welcome anytime during the course.