Infectious Diseases

Tropical Infectious Diseases

Tropical infections are diseases predominant or exclusive to tropical and subtropical regions. Contamination is less prevalent in temperate climates, in part due to the onset of a cold season, which controls the insect population by forcing hibernation. However, several existed in Northern Europe and North America in the 17th and 18th centuries before modern understanding of the causes of infectious diseases. The initial impulse of tropical medicine was to defend the health of the settlers, especially in India under the British Raj. Insects such as mosquitoes and flies are by far the most common vector or vector of disease. These insects can transmit an infectious parasite, bacteria or virus to humans and animals. Most often, the disease is communicated by an insect 'bite', which results in the transmission of the infectious agent through an exchange of subcutaneous blood. Vaccines are not available for most of the diseases listed here, and many do not have cures. Human research into tropical rainforests, deforestation, increased immigration, and increased international air travel and other tourism in the tropics have resulted in an increase in the incidence of these diseases in non-tropical countries.