ABSTRACT
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are caused majorly by arthropods which effects millions of people worldwide. Malaria alone is a dreadful disease in developing countries. However, the emergence of new VBDs and their resistance to standard drugs have posed a serious threat to the world. Hence, a new source of drugs to treat the dreadful VBDs is the need of the hour. It is surprising that one of the most ancestral innate immunities in every class of life is known as host 2defense peptides or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and have not been much in focus majorly due to lack of revenue generation. AMPs have shown to have promising anti-infective activates on a wide range of microbes including viral and cancer cells. In this chapter, we have compiled some of the research on microbial biomolecules targeting the vector and the pathogens along with the possible mode of action.
The later part of the chapter focuses on prevention of VBDs through mathematical models, regulatory measures, and community-level participation. Vectors are highly dependent on the environmental condition for its maturation and life cycles. Therefore, in order to make the best usage of various environmental data, models pertaining to the VBD outbreaks or the abundance of vectors can be built using environmental data and NASA’s satellite-based Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer in order to predict the most likely possibility of prevention using powerful algorithms. We have also discussed the importance and the problems faced in imparting knowledge through a public awareness program regarding various VBDs and the importance of community-level participation along with personal prophylaxis measures.
