Preferred Scientific Name
- arbovirus infections
International Common Names
- English: arthropod-borne virus infections
Generate a print friendly version containing only the sections you need.
Generate reportArboviruses represent a grouping of viruses based on epidemiological criteria. Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses) infect vertebrates by bites of blood-feeding arthropod vectors. Subsequently a viraemia develops of sufficient magnitude to infect other blood-feeding arthropods. In the arthropod vector virus replication is initiated and the cycle thus is perpetuated. Arboviruses are included in the virus families of Togaviridae, Flaviviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Bunyaviridae, Reoviridae (genera Orbivirus and Coltivirus) and Asfarviridae.
Arboviruses are maintained in cycles of arthropods-vertebrates-arthropods, and are subsequently mainly dependent in the geographical and ecological niche, and the active periods of the representative arthropod virus vectors. Vectors are most commonly blood-sucking insects (notably including mosquitoes), but also include ticks and mites. Wild birds are often the reservoir hosts for viruses.
Many arbovirus infections are emerging diseases and zoonoses.
See also seperate data sheets on different diseases and agents.