What is vector control in the context of environmental health?

Vector control refers to the strategies and actions taken to manage and reduce populations of organisms that transmit diseases to humans or animals. These organisms, known as vectors, include insects like mosquitoes and ticks, which can carry and spread pathogens responsible for diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease. Effective vector control aims not only to minimize the risk of transmission but also to protect public health by decreasing the incidence of vector-borne diseases.

This approach may involve various methods, such as insecticide use, environmental management, and community education, all designed to target both the vectors and the environments that support their breeding. By focusing on controlling these organisms, public health officials can significantly impact disease transmission dynamics within a community.