Holistic review of food intoxication and mosquito-borne infections in vulnerable populations

Abstract

Food intoxication and mosquito-borne infections remain two of the most significant public health threats globally, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, older adults, low-income communities, migrants, and immunocompromised individuals. While food intoxication arises from ingestion of preformed toxins produced by microbial agents, mosquito-borne infections such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile virus—are transmitted through infected vectors. Both categories of diseases share common determinants: poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, environmental degradation, weak immune status, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare. This review provides a holistic synthesis of the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, epidemiological trends, clinical manifestations, and preventive strategies related to food intoxication and mosquito-borne infections. Emphasis is placed on socio-economic vulnerability, climate change, food insecurity, and nutrition-related susceptibility. The review highlights the need for multidisciplinary public health approaches integrating environmental management, food safety practices, vector control, community awareness, and policy-level interventions.

Part of CIRS Nexus · Curated by Lauren Lowenstein, The Biotoxin Lady