Which of the following diseases is NOT an arthropod-borne infectious disease?

• A. Lyme disease
• B. West Nile virus
• C. Influenza
• D. Malaria

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is based on the definition of arthropod-borne infectious diseases, which are primarily transmitted through the bites of infected arthropods, such as mosquitoes and ticks. Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that spreads predominantly through respiratory droplets from person to person, as well as through contaminated surfaces, and does not require an arthropod vector for its transmission.

On the other hand, Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes, and malaria is spread by Anopheles mosquitoes. Each of these diseases relies on an arthropod vector to infect humans, distinguishing them from influenza, which operates via direct transmission and human-to-human contact. Understanding the modes of transmission helps clarify why influenza is not included in the category of arthropod-borne diseases.