Human to human transmission of arthropod-borne pathogens

- H2H transmitted arthropod-borne pathogens are a growing burden on human societies.
- This is due to environmental changes, urbanisation and growing trade and travel.
- Proximal factors are host-pathogen-vector interactions driven by actors' biology.
- Distal abiotic factors include temperature, relative humidity and air speed.
- Research on pathogen-vector-host interactions and vector behavior is needed to predict transmission.

Human-to-human (H2H) transmitted arthropod-borne pathogens are a growing burden worldwide, with malaria and dengue being the most common mosquito-borne H2H transmitted diseases. The ability of vectors to get infected by humans during a blood meal to further propel an epidemic depends on complex interactions between pathogens, vectors and humans, in which human interventions and demographic and environmental conditions play a significant role. Herein, we discuss the distal and proximal drivers affecting H2H vector-borne pathogen transmission and identify knowledge gaps and future perspectives.