The word “arbovirus” is derived from arthropod borne virus.   The fact that they generally originate in arboreal environments, such as the rainforest, has nothing to do with the definition.   Arthropods are a phylum of invertebrates with jointed legs, that include the insects.   Generally the primary means of transmission for such viruses is ticks, sandflies, midges and mosquitos.  These are also known as insect vectors.

Arboviruses attack animals - vertebrates specifically - and female mosquitos are the principal vectors (as they are the ones which bite).   However, mosquitos are able to transmit only certain viruses, by taking a blood from an infected host and injecting it into a victim when the insect takes a subsequent meal.   Once a mosquito becomes infected with the virus, it is able to pass it on to many victims, which includes both humans and animals.

Most arboviruses are fortunately rare outside the tropical rainforest, though some such as yellow fever and dengue fever have caused mankind considerable problems in the past and still pose a threat today.  If a victim of one of these illnesses is human and world-mobile, then the arboviruses can arise anywhere, any time.  Therefore most countries have public health programs and contingency plans, to cope with outbreaks of arbovirus disease.    The best known arboviruses are probably Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever.  Both are  caused by strains of the Flavivirus.

Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is hemorrhage fever (ie causes internal bleeding) and it can cause permanent liver damage.  If untreated it will be fatal in most cases.  It is spread by the mosquito, Stegomyia fasciata.

Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is acute, but usually the victim recovers without permanent injury. Occasionally, however, it becomes more severe and can damage the central nervous system ,or cause hemorrhages (internal bleeding).  Dengue is spread by the mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal Homepage
Historical Collections - Yellow Fever and the Spanish-American War
The Diptera (Flies)
Yellow fever
WHO Division of Control of Tropical Diseases - Dengue and DHF Control
Dengue Fever
Yellow Fever Fact sheet
Paul R. Grimstad - Vector-Borne Disease Ecology and Epidemiology

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