2.1 | Urban Evolution and Disease
Urbanization has been accompanied by disease as it causes disruptions in the natural environment and create congenial conditions in the built-up environment for the spread of communicable diseases. Pandemics have been characterized by three principal modes of transmission in cities: airborne, waterborne, and vector-borne. Airborne transmission is conditioned by deteriorating air quality, vehicular congestion, haphazard construction of buildings, non-separation of patients with infectious diseases in hospitals, and lack of civic services and healthcare facilities to the public. Waterborne transmission depends on improper disposal of waste and lack of potable drinking water, drainage, and sewerage in municipalities. Vector borne diseases are transmitted to humans and animals by blood-sucking parasites such as mosquitoes and fleas. Table 2 depicts the main diseases transmitted by various modes.
Table 2: Diseases: Mode of Transmission