Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) SLC Practice Exam

Which diseases can be transmitted through vectorborne transmission?

1. Flu and Cold

2. Tuberculosis and Measles

3. Lyme disease and Malaria

4. Hepatitis A and Ebola

The correct answer is: Lyme disease and Malaria

Vectorborne transmission involves the spread of infectious diseases through vectors, which are living organisms that can carry pathogens from one host to another. This mode of transmission typically includes parasites and certain viruses that are carried by insects, such as mosquitoes or ticks. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, with its transmission occurring through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Both of these diseases are classic examples of illnesses that are spread through vectorborne means, highlighting the necessity of understanding the role vectors play in disease epidemiology. The other options consist of diseases which are not transmitted by vectors. For instance, the flu and cold are primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Tuberculosis and measles are spread through airborne transmission. Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through fecal-oral routes, while Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. Understanding these differences is crucial in recognizing the various transmission pathways and the measures needed to prevent disease outbreaks.