Which of the following pairs of diseases is correctly classified as vector borne, meaning they are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected arthropod vectors such as fleas or mosquitoes?

Introduction / Context:
In epidemiology, diseases can be classified based on how they are transmitted from one host to another. Vector borne diseases are transmitted by living carriers, usually arthropods such as mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks. Understanding which diseases are vector borne helps in planning prevention strategies such as vector control. This question asks you to identify the pair of diseases that are correctly classified as vector borne among the options provided.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term vector borne refers to transmission via an animal carrier, typically an arthropod like a mosquito or flea.
• The options list pairs of common human diseases.
• We assume basic knowledge of how these diseases are spread.
• We also assume standard public health definitions of vector borne transmission.

Concept / Approach:
Plague is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas that have fed on infected rodents. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Both are classic examples of vector borne diseases, where an arthropod vector plays an essential role in transferring the pathogen from one host to another. By contrast, diseases such as chicken pox, mumps, common cold, measles, rubella, eye infections, and influenza are typically spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact, or other non vector routes. Therefore, the correct pair of vector borne diseases among the options is plague and malaria.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define vector borne disease as one transmitted by an intermediate living carrier such as a mosquito, flea, or tick. Step 2: Recall that plague is caused by bacteria and transmitted mainly by fleas that infest rodents. Step 3: Recall that malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites and is transmitted by the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Step 4: Examine the other pairs and note that they involve diseases spread by respiratory droplets or contact, not by arthropod vectors. Step 5: Conclude that plague and malaria together form the correctly classified vector borne pair.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard public health references list malaria and plague among the major vector borne diseases worldwide. Control strategies focus heavily on vector control, such as mosquito nets and insecticides for malaria, and rodent and flea control for plague. For chicken pox, mumps, measles, rubella, influenza, and many common colds, prevention strategies emphasise vaccination and hygiene rather than insect control, because they are spread primarily via aerosols and respiratory droplets. This clear difference in control measures confirms that only plague and malaria in the list are vector borne diseases.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Chicken pox and tetanus are not vector borne; chicken pox spreads by respiratory droplets, and tetanus results from wound contamination by bacterial spores in soil. Option C: Mumps and common cold are respiratory infections transmitted mainly through droplets and direct contact, not via arthropod vectors. Option D: Eye infection and influenza are usually spread by direct contact, contaminated hands, or respiratory droplets, not by insect vectors. Option E: Measles and rubella are viral diseases transmitted by airborne droplets and are prevented primarily by vaccination, not vector control.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse vector borne diseases with any infectious disease or think that all serious diseases must involve insects. Another common mistake is to misclassify droplet spread diseases like influenza and measles as vector borne simply because they spread quickly. To avoid these errors, it is essential to remember that vector borne transmission specifically involves a living carrier such as a mosquito, flea, tick, or lice. Associating malaria with mosquitoes and plague with fleas makes it easy to recognise the correct pair in exam questions.

Final Answer:
The pair of diseases correctly classified as vector borne is plague and malaria.