Final answer:
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S., caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by black-legged ticks. Cases have been rapidly increasing, making Lyme disease a significant public health concern.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common vector-borne disease in the United States is Lyme disease. This illness is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, specifically Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus. With vectors of human diseases such as mosquitoes transmitting malaria and yellow fever, and fleas spreading the plague, Lyme disease remains prevalent due to the expanding range of its tick vectors. The risk of contracting Lyme disease is espescially high in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, and north-central U.S., as well as parts of the Pacific coast where these tick species are found. Over the last two decades, the number of Lyme disease cases has tripled in the U.S., with 300,000 Americans estimated to be infected each year, making it the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the nation.
Vectors like mosquitoes and ticks serve as carriers of various pathogens causing diseases such as West Nile virus, Dengue Fever, and Yellow Fever. However, Lyme disease, which presents with symptoms like fever, headache, and tiredness, can have more serious consequences if not treated promptly. As these vectors are widespread and difficult to completely control, it is a complex task to eradicate vector-borne diseases entirely.