In entomology, the term for an organism that transmits disease is:

In entomology, the term for an organism that transmits disease is:

• A. Reservoir
• B. Vector
• C. Host
• D. Carrier

Answer: (B)

A vector is an organism that transmits a pathogen from one host to another, playing a key role in the disease cycle. Insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and sandflies act as vectors by either biologically allowing the pathogen to develop inside them or by carrying the pathogen on their bodies and transferring it during contact or feeding. This is different from a reservoir, which is where the pathogen persists in the environment or animal populations; a host, which is any organism that can become infected by the pathogen; and a carrier, which refers to an infected individual who can spread the pathogen, not necessarily by a dedicated transmission organism. Knowing that a vector is the transmitting agent helps explain how many diseases are spread and why vector control is a key part of disease management.

A vector is an organism that transmits a pathogen from one host to another, playing a key role in the disease cycle. Insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and sandflies act as vectors by either biologically allowing the pathogen to develop inside them or by carrying the pathogen on their bodies and transferring it during contact or feeding. This is different from a reservoir, which is where the pathogen persists in the environment or animal populations; a host, which is any organism that can become infected by the pathogen; and a carrier, which refers to an infected individual who can spread the pathogen, not necessarily by a dedicated transmission organism. Knowing that a vector is the transmitting agent helps explain how many diseases are spread and why vector control is a key part of disease management.