Vector-borne diseases

WHO / Andy Craggs

Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies snails. They occur in more than 100 countries worldwide, affecting as much as half of the world’s population.

Our work

At TDR, the research we support in this area currently covers arboviral diseases, malaria, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and snail-borne diseases such as fascioliasis and schistosomiasis.

Our work supports a wide spectrum of research from basic research on genomics and genetic modification of vectors to implementation research for the delivery and scale-up of control efforts and includes engagement across multiple communities and stakeholders.

The long-term aim of our work is to not only prevent vector-borne disease outbreaks but also to develop and implement strategies that reduce vulnerability and increase the resilience of populations at risk.

Multisectoral approaches for controlling and preventing vector-borne diseases

Operationalizing One Health

News

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28 January 2026

News release

Closing equity gaps in the control of schistosomiasis and trachoma

27 March 2025

News release

Preparing for roll-out of a new paediatric treatment for schistosomiasis in Senegal

4 December 2024

News release

Expanding treatment to children with schistosomiasis: community engagement campaign kicks off in the United Republic of Tanzania

12 September 2024

News release

Addressing diseases affected by climate change in Nigeria and Senegal

9 September 2024

News release

Controlling dengue among vulnerable populations in Brazil

3 August 2024

News release

Enhancing surveillance and control of diseases affected by climate change in West Africa

Featured publications

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The TDR annual report 2025 presents an overview of the activities, achievements and strategic directions of the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme...

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This report highlights the impact of research supported by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases...

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The 2024 results report marks the first year of measuring TDR’s performance based on the revised performance framework in which indicators have been...

This report highlights the impact of research supported by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases...

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Seasonal malaria chemoprevention with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine in children: a field guide

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is the intermittent administration of a curative dose of antimalarial medicine to children at high risk of severe...

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This report highlights the impact of research supported by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases...

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Surveillance and control of arboviral diseases in the WHO African Region: assessment of country capacities

The growing threat and recent epidemics of Aedes-borne arboviral infections in Africa has put into question the adequacy of public health systems to...

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Operational guide using the web-based dashboard: Early Warning and Response System (EWARS) for dengue outbreaks

This guide is an update to the previous version. This revised edition of Operational guide using the web-based dashboard: Early Warning and Response System...

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