Exploring the landscape of Vector-Borne Diseases and Their Vectors in India's Endemic states: Bird’s eye view

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) persist as a significant public health concern across the globe. Various arthropod vectors play pivotal roles in the transmission of diverse VBDs worldwide, notably mosquitoes, sandflies, blackflies, lice, ticks and tsetse flies. Among all, mosquitoes act as major vectors causing mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs). Mosquitoes predominantly serve as vectors for neglected tropical diseases, transmitting numerous pathogens due to their large number, attributed to the conducive tropical climatic conditions. Understanding the dynamics of vectors (mosquitoes) is imperative for effectively controlling and eliminating mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs). Extensive research conducted across India indicates commendable efforts towards comprehending the nature, prevalence, and breeding patterns of vectors, subsequently implementing measures to curb their proliferation. Endemic Indian states Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh are characterized by substantial forested areas and rugged terrain and emerged as focal points for mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs), including malaria, dengue, filaria, chikungunya, etc. Several studies emphasised how important it is to comprehend the presence and distribution of vectors to mitigate infections and eliminate them within the designated time limit. Earlier studies conducted in these endemic states of India give an idea of the presence of different vector species and their subspecies. This review is an attempt to offer important new information about MBDs, their status, and the vector prevalence in Jharkhand and other endemic areas of India. The review emphasizes the critical need for unified and collaborative efforts to tackle these diseases, both at the regional and national levels, by integrating various disciplines and strategies.