Which one of the following is not an insect borne disease ?

Beriberi is not an insect-borne disease; it is a nutritional deficiency disorder caused by a lack of thiamine (Vitamin B1) in the diet [t2]. In contrast, the other options are vector-borne diseases transmitted by insects or arthropods. Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito [c2][c5][t7]. Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) is spread by the sand fly (Phlebotomus) [t4][t7]. Plague, specifically bubonic plague, is transmitted by the rat flea [t7]. While malaria, dengue, and chikungunya are primary focuses of India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme [c1], beriberi remains classified as a nutritional disorder rather than an infectious disease spread by a biological vector [t2][t5]. Therefore, Beriberi is the correct answer as it is not transmitted by insects.

Sources

1. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Activity 3.4: Let us find out > p. 35
2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Malaria > p. 78
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Dengue and Chikungunya > p. 80
4. [4] https://www.icmr.gov.in/icmrobject/custom_data/pdf/icmr-bulletins/ICMR_Bulletin_Nov-Dec_2011.pdf