What is the most prevalent arthropod-borne disease transmitted to humans in the US today?

Encephalitis is indeed recognized as one of the most prevalent arthropod-borne diseases transmitted to humans in the US today. Specifically, viruses responsible for causing encephalitis, such as the West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses, have a significant impact on public health. Encephalitis can result from several different pathogens, but the viral forms, particularly those transmitted by mosquitoes, are of particular concern due to their prevalence and the severity of the disease they can cause.

While rabies, plague, and malaria are serious diseases, they do not match the frequency of encephalitis cases in the United States. Rabies primarily affects mammals and is less frequently reported among humans due to effective vaccination and preventive measures. Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is rarer in contemporary times and tends to occur in isolated outbreaks rather than widespread cases. Meanwhile, malaria, though an important concern globally, has been virtually eliminated in the continental United States, with very few cases reported annually. Thus, encephalitis stands out as the most significant arthropod-borne disease affecting humans in the U.S. today.