Which of the following is a vector-borne disease?

Malaria

The correct answer is Option (2)- Malaria

Among the options provided, Malaria is a vector-borne disease.

Vector-borne diseases are infections that are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and sandflies. In the case of Malaria, the causative agents are protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium genus, with the most common species being Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale.

Female Anopheles mosquitoes are the vectors responsible for transmitting the Plasmodium parasites. When an infected mosquito bites a person, it injects the parasites into the bloodstream, initiating the infection. Once inside the human body, the parasites travel to the liver and then infect red blood cells, leading to the characteristic symptoms of Malaria, such as fever, chills, and anemia.

The other options listed—Pneumonia, Mumps, and Cholera—are not vector-borne diseases. Pneumonia is typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and is transmitted through respiratory droplets. Mumps is a viral infection transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact with saliva, and Cholera is caused by the ingestion of contaminated water or food, primarily through the fecal-oral route.