What are some examples of diseases addressed by the CDC's Vector-Borne Disease program?

• A. Zika, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and malaria
• B. HIV, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma
• C. Cancer, tuberculosis, influenza, and pneumonia
• D. Cholera, hepatitis, rabies, and syphilis

Answer: (A)

The choice that highlights Zika, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and malaria aligns with the focus of the CDC's Vector-Borne Disease program, which is dedicated to monitoring, researching, and providing guidance on diseases that are transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.

Zika and West Nile virus, for instance, are transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, while Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks. Malaria, although not native to the United States and more prevalent in tropical regions, is a classic example of a vector-borne disease spread by Anopheles mosquitoes. All these diseases share a common characteristic: they are influenced by environmental factors and require vector organisms for transmission to humans.

The other options include diseases that are either not transmitted by vectors or fall into different categories. For instance, HIV, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma are primarily non-communicable diseases rather than those spread by vectors. Similarly, cancer, tuberculosis, influenza, and pneumonia, while significant public health concerns, do not fit into the category of vector-borne diseases. The final option contains diseases like cholera and hepatitis, which are waterborne or directly transmitted rather than vector-borne. Thus, the selection of Zika, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and malaria