Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much.
These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room visits for tick bites have been trending higher than usual.
That’s bad news for anyone who passes through the woody, grassy areas ticks call home. But that’s only a problem for hikers, right?
Not anymore.
As deforestation continues and climate change worsens, the animals that carry ticks are showing up in more places, including city parks and neighborhood greenways. So, whether you live downtown or down a gravel road, you’re in tick territory now.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
Jump Ahead:
Two ticks cause most of the trouble in the U.S.: black-legged ticks and lone star ticks. Here’s how to tell them apart and why each one matters.
Black-legged ticks (often called deer ticks) are small, flat and dark with black legs — easy to miss unless you’re looking. They’re the main carriers of Lyme disease in the eastern and midwestern U.S. And trust us, you don’t want Lyme disease. Left untreated, it can cause chronic pain, lasting fatigue and cognitive and neurological issues.
In the South, especially in places like Florida, the lone star tick gets more attention. Females have a distinct white dot on their back. This tick is linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that can trigger allergic reactions to red meat and dairy after a bite. And these ticks aren’t just a rural problem; they can show up in suburbs and even urban-edge environments.
The surest way to avoid tick bites is to stay out of the places ticks live. But what if you go camping, take your dog to the park or do some yard work? What if you just want to “touch grass,” like everyone on the internet keeps telling you to?
You can’t stay inside forever, so take extra care in:
Yes, even city parks. Birds, mice and deer move ticks around more than most people realize.
Ticks are most active from April through September, though they can bite any time it’s above freezing. With climate change resulting in shorter winters, it’s worth being cautious as early as March.
Early summer is especially risky because of nymphs: immature ticks that are tiny and harder to spot but fully capable of spreading disease.
You don’t need a hazmat suit. When venturing into tick territory, wear clothing that makes it harder for ticks to reach your skin:
For extra protection, add repellent:
And when you get home? Shower as soon as you can. It helps wash off ticks that hitched a ride but haven’t latched on yet.
Do a tick check every time you come in from tick territory, and remove any tick you find right away.
This is where things get a little personal. Ticks love warm, hidden spots. Check your:
Get someone to help you check the places you can’t see yourself; this isn’t a time to be shy.
Found one? Don’t panic. Just act quickly. The sooner you remove a tick, the lower your chance of getting sick.
Using fine-tipped tweezers:
After removal, clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, then wash your hands thoroughly. Don’t forget to do a full-body check for others.
Not every tick bite leads to illness, but don’t ignore symptoms. Watch for:
If something feels off, don’t wait. Tell your medical provider you’ve had a tick bite. Early treatment is usually straightforward and effective.
Ticks aren’t villains; they’re part of the ecosystem. They feed birds, reptiles and amphibians and help keep wildlife populations in balance. Most ticks are harmless.
The issue isn’t that ticks exist, it’s that our paths are crossing more often. Untangling this mess takes someone with expertise and more than a passing interest in these fascinating creatures.
Want to see the big picture? The University of Florida offers online entomology programs, including a medical entomology specialization that examines the true impact ticks and other insects have on society. Entirely online, our graduate programs allow you to study for the career you want without having to leave the one you have.
Interested? Visit our Programs page and see if our offerings fit your graduate goals. No pressure, just the information you need.
Sources:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/media/en/healthtopics/emerging_and_vector-borne_diseases/tick_borne_diseases/public_health_measures/Documents/HCP_presentation_lowres.pdf
https://phhp.ufl.edu/2026/05/26/dont-let-a-tick-make-you-sick-how-to-stay-safe-this-summer
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/12/us/urban-ticks-new-york-city-philadelphia-washington.html
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list. Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip.
Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies.
The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on living tissue in warm-blooded animals. That includes livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans. Little overachievers, really.
So, can humans get screwworm? Yes, but human cases are rare. The bigger concern is what these insects can do to animals, especially livestock, and why fast identification and control matter so much.
In this article, we explore:
A Screwworm is a parasitic flies whose larvae feed on living tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fly lays its eggs in open wounds and body openings, including the eyes, ears, nose, mouth or genitals. (If your whole body just tried to leave the room, that’s a normal response.) A wound as small as a tick bite or scratch can attract a female fly.
The New World screwworm, known scientifically as Cochliomyia hominivorax, is the species causing concern in the Americas. Adult flies look similar to other flies, but their larvae are what make them dangerous.
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into tissue and start feeding. And no, they don’t politely stick to dead or decaying material like some other fly larvae. New World screwworm larvae feed on living tissue, which is why infestations can get severe fast.
The name “screwworm” comes from the larvae’s appearance and behavior. As they feed, they burrow into tissue like a screw twisting into a surface — which is exactly as unpleasant as it sounds.
Screwworm larvae are dangerous because they feed on living flesh and can make wounds worse within days.
Many people hear “maggots” and think of insects feeding on dead tissue. New World screwworm are different. Their larvae infest live animals and enlarge wounds as they feed. Without treatment, infestations can lead to pain, tissue damage, secondary infections and even death in severe cases.
Basically, if there’s an open wound, this fly sees a five-star resort. Horrible? Yes. Biologically fascinating? Also yes.
That’s what makes the screwworm such a serious threat: They don’t just show up after damage has already happened; they actively make that damage worse.
Screwworm symptoms can include a painful wound that worsens, visible larvae, bleeding, foul odor and signs of infection.
In animals, screwworm infestations often begin around a wound. At first, the problem may look like an ordinary injury. But as larvae feed, the wound gets larger, deeper and more irritated.
According to the CDC, common signs of New World Screwworm infestation may include:
In livestock and pets, behavioral changes can also be a clue. Animals may lick, bite, scratch, isolate themselves or act unusually uncomfortable.
Because infestations can worsen quickly, suspected screwworm cases should be taken seriously. For animals, that means contacting a veterinarian or animal health authority. For people, that means seeking medical care. A healthcare provider is the only one that should be removing any maggots or egg masses, so spare yourself the trauma and don’t try it yourself.
Screwworms are a serious cattle concern because infestations can spread quickly, harm animal health and create major costs for livestock producers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) notes that another New World Screwworm incursion in the U.S. could cost millions of dollars from livestock losses, trade embargoes and eradication work.
Cattle are also more at risk because they’re vulnerable to frequent small wounds. Bites, scratches, branding sites, dehorning wounds, surgical sites and everyday injuries can all attract female screwworm flies. Once larvae hatch, they can damage tissue and worsen the wound.
USDA APHIS maintains a confirmed detections dashboard for New World Screwworm animal and wild fly detections in the United States. Because case counts change quickly, the dashboard is the best place to find the latest details, including location, the animals affected and when each case was confirmed.
For ranchers and farmers, the risk isn’t just one sick animal. Screwworm infestations can lead to:
Cattle also can’t walk into the house and say, “Hi, something deeply unsettling is happening over here.” That’s where livestock producers, veterinarians, inspectors and entomologists come in.
Entomologists help identify screwworm by examining larvae, adult flies and infestation patterns to confirm the species and guide response efforts.
Proper identification matters because not every maggot in a wound is a New World Screwworm. Different fly species can look similar, especially to someone who doesn’t spend their career thinking about morphology.
Mature New World screwworm larvae have spines that wrap around the body in a spiral pattern, which is where the name “screwworm” comes from. But confirming the species usually requires a trained entomology specialist.
Entomologists may use features such as larval shape, body spines and internal structures to identify the species. Their work supports:
This is also where medical entomology comes into the picture. Medical entomology focuses, in part, on insects and arthropods that affect human and animal health. Screwworms are a textbook case: They connect insect biology with wounds, disease risk, animal welfare and public health response.
Screwworm control depends on fast detection, proper treatment, surveillance, movement controls and sterile insect release.
A strong response may include:
One of the most important tools used against New World Screwworm is the sterile insect technique. It helped to remove the NWS fly population from the U.S. in 1966.
The basic idea is surprisingly elegant for something involving millions of flies: Sterile male flies are produced and released into targeted areas. Because a female screwworm mates only once, when they mate with a sterile male, no viable offspring are produced. Over time, this reduces the population and helps stop the pest from spreading.
Essentially, it’s pest control by way of reproductive sabotage.
This is one reason entomology matters so much in real-world pest management. Effective control depends on understanding how the insect lives, travels, reproduces and interacts with animals and people.
If this disturbing-yet-fascinating insect left you wanting more, the University of Florida’s online graduate entomology programs allow students to study insect science in a flexible format built for working professionals.
Through UF’s online graduate entomology programs, you can explore topics related to insect biology, pest management, medical entomology, ecology or beekeeping while learning from faculty with deep expertise in the field.
If you’re curious about the wide world of entomology, UF’s entirely online programs offer a way to study the small organisms behind some very big questions. Check out UF’s online graduate entomology programs to find the one that best suits your career goals.
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list. Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list.
Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a few consistent habits — nothing that should slow down your plans to track down the best street tacos in Mexico City.
This article covers:
Vector-borne diseases are infections that reach humans through the bites of infected insects or animals. Mosquitoes get most of the limelight, but ticks, fleas and sand flies can carry disease, too.
Some of the more common vector-borne diseases travelers encounter are:
The good news? Not every disease exists in every part of the world. Where you’re headed determines what you actually need to watch out for.
It only takes one insect bite to ruin your trip … and potentially put your life at risk. We’re not trying to sound dramatic, but if you’re one of the unlucky ones, you could be looking at weeks of recovery, hospitalization or complications that follow you long after you’ve unpacked.
In certain regions, like sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, local populations have built up some exposure to vector-borne diseases over time, but travelers often don’t arrive with the same immunity. And because symptoms can take days or weeks to appear, plenty of people get home before they even realize they’re sick, which makes diagnosis harder.
Think of disease preparedness the same way you’d think about sunscreen or food safety: not something to obsess over, but definitely something to handle before it becomes a problem.
Most vector-borne disease prevention comes down to habits, not luck. Protect your skin, do your research and don’t ignore symptoms after you land back home. The five steps below cover most of what you need.
One of the most important things you can do before you travel is look up the specific health risks where you’re going. Before your trip, find out:
For instance, a beach trip in Southeast Asia calls for different preparation than a forest hike in the northeastern U.S. Where you’re headed will shape your insect-avoidance strategy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) both maintain updated travel health information by region. If you’re heading somewhere with significant risk, a travel health clinic can:
Try to schedule that appointment at least four to six weeks before your trip, as some vaccines require multiple doses or take additional time to become effective.
Mosquitoes are responsible for more vector-borne illnesses than any other insect, so it pays to focus your efforts here.
Apply insect repellent consistently. The CDC recommends products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Reapply according to label instructions, especially after swimming or sweating.
Cover up when you’re outside in high-risk areas: long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes. And light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot insects before they land.
You can also treat your clothing, shoes and gear with permethrin, an insecticide that kills or repels insects on contact and holds up through multiple washes. Pre-treated clothing is widely available, or you can treat your own.
If you’re staying somewhere without reliable screens or AC — think open-air guesthouses in rural Southeast Asia or jungle lodges in Central America — a bed net is worth every penny. They look a little dramatic in the movies, but when you’re trying to sleep through the night without the buzzing and the bites, dramatic starts to feel pretty reasonable.
Standing water is where mosquitoes breed, so be aware of ponds, puddles and uncovered containers. That means the flowerpot outside your Airbnb, the cooler on the patio or that tarp that’s been collecting rain.
On hikes or in wooded areas, stick to cleared paths and avoid brushing through tall vegetation, since that’s where ticks tend to wait.
Timing helps too. Mosquitoes that carry malaria and other diseases are often most active at dawn and dusk, so planning outdoor activities around those windows reduces your exposure without much sacrifice. If you can’t avoid being outside during peak hours, make sure you’re covered and protected.
Whether you’re hiking, camping or just taking a long walk through a grassy area, take a few minutes to look yourself over afterward. Check your arms, legs, ankles, scalp and behind your knees. Go through your clothing and bag, too.
For ticks in particular, early removal matters. The sooner you find one, the lower your risk of infection. Showering after outdoor time is a simple habit worth building in. It helps you spot bites and removes insects you might have missed.
Fever, rash, fatigue, muscle aches or anything flu-like after travel deserves attention. This is especially true if you were in an area known for vector-borne illness or you remember getting bitten.
When you see a doctor, mention where you traveled and when. That context can make the difference between a fast, accurate diagnosis and a long, confusing process. Providers can’t always connect the dots without it.
Avoiding bites is one thing. Understanding the science behind why certain insects carry certain diseases, and why some parts of the world are hit harder than others, is another. If you’re drawn to that bigger picture, there’s an ideal place for your curiosity to take hold.
The University of Florida offers entirely online graduate programs in entomology, built for people who want to move from awareness to expertise. You’ll dig into the science behind insects, disease transmission and pest management through flexible coursework designed around your life.
Whether you’re in public health, environmental services or just someone who wants to understand how it all connects, UF’s programs give you the tools to make a real difference in the field.
See what past students had to say about their experience.
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list. Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a…
Ever seen one of these up close? You might not realize it, but this little insect is one of the world’s most successful — and most troublesome — invaders.
If nature had a supervillain the size of a sesame seed, it would look exactly like the Asian tiger mosquito (also known by its Latin name, Aedes albopictus).
You can recognize an Asian tiger mosquito by the single white stripe running down the center of its back and its zebra-striped legs. It’s tiny — typically two to ten millimeters (1/12 to 3/8 of an inch) — but don’t let its size fool you. The Asian tiger mosquito is part of the Culicidae family, which includes many species capable of transmitting dangerous viruses.
The first group of Asian tiger mosquitoes traveled from Japan, Korea, southern China and Southeast Asia into the United States on shipments of used tires and decorative bamboo in the mid-1980s. But this pest didn’t just immigrate. It moved in, unpacked its bags … and went rogue.
Since its arrival, the Asian tiger mosquito has established itself across much of the South, Midwest and parts of California, as well as dozens of countries in Europe, Africa, South America and Oceania.
Here’s a comparison showing their quick spread alongside another well-known vector:
| Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) | Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) | |
| 2017 | 17 countries | 4 countries |
| 2025 | 30 countries | 5 countries |
Global warming. Long international travel. Harsh winters. Hot summers. No problem if you’re an Asian tiger mosquito … if there’s a teaspoon of water around.
This invasive species is a resilient hitchhiker and can breed in any container that includes standing water. Think flowerpots, gutters, plastic debris, decor and bottle caps. That planter you forgot about? The tiger mosquito didn’t.
While most mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, the Asian tiger mosquito works a full day shift. They thrive in:
This makes suburban, semi-urban and urban environments an ideal habitat for them, and they easily reinvade after they’ve been controlled — even in the winter.
Asian tiger mosquitoes don’t politely coexist. They displace native mosquito species, outcompeting them and becoming the dominant biter in many regions.
The yellow fever mosquito was once dominant in the Mediterranean and southeastern U.S. Now it’s losing ground in areas where Asian tiger mosquitoes have taken over.
Vector-borne diseases cause over 700,000 deaths a year, and the Asian tiger mosquito has built quite a portfolio. This striped pest can spread multiple viruses, causing debilitating diseases for humans, cattle and pets. These include:
Public health teams can monitor mosquito activity, apply gene technology, watch for new cases and remind people to protect themselves. But the tough part is how fast these mosquitoes come back. The minute rain hits and water pools, their eggs hatch and the population surges all over again.
Tiger mosquitoes are hard to control for public health officials because of three key factors:
Managing the Asian tiger mosquito usually requires coordinated community action. Here’s what you can do:
The tiger mosquito can dodge sprays, survive droughts and outsmart the weather, but it can’t outsmart a coordinated community.
Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve learned about the Asian tiger mosquito:
With a little awareness and routine prevention, we can all help keep this deadly troublemaker in check.
The Asian tiger mosquito is more than just a backyard pest. It’s a living case study of invasive species, climate shifts, public health and human behavior on a global scale.
If that mix of biology, ecology and problem-solving sparks something in you, you’re already thinking like a medical entomologist — and this field needs minds exactly like yours.
The University of Florida’s nationally top-ranked, fully online graduate programs in entomology and nematology let you focus on what interests you most:
You’ll explore how vectors move pathogens, how climate and habitats fuel outbreaks and how to design innovative community-level solutions. Find out how insects like the Asian tiger mosquito show up in fields like:
Whether you picture yourself researching, protecting communities or strengthening skills you use in your current role, there’s a flexible path for you at UF — one that fits around work, life and the things you love.
Turn your curiosity into skills, and turn those skills into meaningful change. Explore the program and see where it can take you.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9599329
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3777778
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/asian-tiger-mosquito.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20436-9
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8621292
https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/invertebrates/asian-tiger-mosquito
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/facts/mosquito-factsheets/aedes-albopictus
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN792
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Every neighborhood has that one yard: lush lawn, trimmed hedges, wraparound porch. It’s the envy of everyone who drives past, but you know something? Pollinators hate it. Bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators are essential for biodiversity and pollinating the crops that feed us. But to do their job, they need shelter and reliable food sources. Your yard could…
What if the insects we’ve been trying to kill could actually save our lives?
Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas spread diseases to hundreds of millions of people worldwide each year. But scientists are turning some of these pests into lifesaving tools, using them to detect cancer, stop disease transmission and improve human health in ways that might surprise you.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of insects in medicine and other ways they can help us fight disease. We’ll also introduce medical entomology: the study of how insects transmit disease to humans and animals. If you’re fascinated by insects and want to make a real impact on public health, medical entomology can provide some unique opportunities.
Ants, termites and bees are surprisingly good at public health management. They live in tight quarters, yet they’re constantly keeping disease in check. And they offer real-world insight that can inform the use of insects in medicine research.
Take, for example, how ants prevent disease in their colonies:
Ants clean each other constantly. That small exposure to germs can act like a natural vaccine, helping the colony build immunity. Food sharing can also have the same collective immunization effect.
Ants seem to know instinctively that sick and healthy colony members should stay apart. They practice social distancing by:
Are you the friend that’s always carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer? If so, you’ve got more in common with ants than you think.
Ants secrete antimicrobial compounds from their metapleural glands (MGs): a fascinating feature. But what’s even more interesting is that when researchers exposed ants to fungal spores, the ants ramped up their MG secretions, meaning they actually control this defense mechanism.
Frequent cleaning? Social distancing? Antimicrobial use? These sound a lot like best practices from the COVID-19 pandemic … but insects were doing them first. Who knows what other disease prevention lessons we can learn from the insect world?
Yes, bees can smell fear — or at least the pheromones we release when we experience it. But that’s not the only thing they can detect.
Recent research has shown that honeybees can detect lung cancer in humans. This is one of the most fascinating examples of insects in medicine at work.
Researchers attached electrodes to the odor-processing area of the bees’ brains. They then sprayed aerosolized mixtures simulating the breath of a healthy subject and a lung cancer patient on the bees’ antennae. The bees could tell the difference more than 90% of the time.
Not only that, they could distinguish between types of lung cancer: non-small cell versus the more aggressive small cell variety.
But bees have been providing benefits beyond pollination for years. They can also detect high acetone levels linked to diabetes. Bees’ sense of smell could be a valuable diagnostic tool in medicine.
Insects are plentiful, high in protein and other nutrients, and appetizing. (Okay, there may be some differences of opinion on that last one.)
But eating insects does more than just provide protein. An insect-based diet can offer:
Insect-based diets also have a much smaller environmental footprint and could help reduce food insecurity. Around the world, some cultures already eat:
When a mosquito sticks its mouthparts into our skin to feed, it can leave behind a variety of nasty diseases. But what if it wasn’t carrying that disease in the first place?
One research team infected female mosquitoes — the ones that bite — with Wolbachia bacteria, preventing them from carrying the dengue virus. Scientists are now working to spread this disease-preventing bacteria to larger mosquito populations.
The same approach is being tested on sandflies to combat leishmaniasis, a disease that:
Researchers are altering the sandfly’s gut microbiome so the parasite can’t grow within it. No Leishmania, no disease.
Both pests will still live up to their reputation as bloodsuckers, but their potential as disease vectors can be greatly reduced.
The mosquito is the deadliest disease vector by far. Transmitting some of the deadliest diseases, it “kills more people than any other creature in the world.”
In fact, vector-borne diseases are increasing worldwide. But humans have some insect allies in the fight against mosquitoes, ticks and fleas:
If you’re intrigued by these insect discoveries, medical entomology credentials may be your next step.
Insects have the potential to be much more than pests. They can be tools, teachers and even allies.
Understanding how insects function helps us improve human and animal health, both by managing disease-causing insect populations and recognizing the ways some insects benefit human communities.
Sound like something you want to be part of? UF’s online master’s degree in medical entomology is what you’re looking for. It’s your chance to lead the next wave of discovery with insects in medicine.
Not ready for a full degree? Start with our online Graduate Certificate in Medical Entomology.
Better public health can’t wait — and neither should you. Get started by applying here.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/10869
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10303143
https://livetoplant.com/using-beneficial-insects-to-combat-plant-disease-risks
https://communities.springernature.com/posts/using-basic-research-in-insect-biology-to-fight-disease
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpt9-Dfj6W0&t=53s
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list. Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a…
Imagine a killer slipping through a cracked window and landing on your arm without you noticing. By the time you swat, it’s already vanished. Some species will strike again quickly if disturbed, while others pause before their next bite.
Now imagine that this tiny assassin has a million similarly sneaky relatives that cause more than 700,000 deaths each year.
Mosquitoes, ticks, blackflies and other vectors (disease-carrying insects) may be small, but in public health, they’re a massive problem — and their reach extends far beyond your backyard.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the new technologies transforming medical entomology and the fight against vector-borne diseases.
Medical entomologists are the detectives, scientists and strategists (sometimes all in one day) who study how insect vectors spread disease, and, most importantly, how to stop them.
How Are They Using New Technology in Medical Entomology?
Insect nets, jars and microscopes are traditional go-to tools for medical entomologists, but new technology has made their job a whole lot easier. Medical entomologists are now using:
For example, mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria and Zika. Ticks are a big concern for Lyme disease. Blackflies can transmit river blindness in Africa, and tsetse flies are known for spreading sleeping sickness. These are only some of the vectors out there — each with its own challenges, and researchers are finding new ways to tackle them.
Imagine slogging through water or high grass in remote, sometimes dangerous places to collect specimens or deploy treatments. Drones today can do many of the same tasks (while avoiding the mud-soaked boots and insect bites). Drones help fight pests that destroy crops, ecosystems and insects that carry disease by:
The University of Florida, for example, uses drones to find mosquito breeding sites in Florida wetlands for targeted control.
In the past, catching and identifying insects meant lugging traps back to a lab, sifting through piles of specimens … and hoping none escaped before identification.
Smart insect traps — powered by artificial intelligence and in development for future use — could do much of the heavy work soon. Vectors will have a harder time remaining undercover when these traps can:
Need a real-world example? This new smart trap automatically counts mosquitoes in the field and transmits live updates.
What if we could create a superbug to fight other bugs … and save lives in the process? This isn’t science fiction: Scientists can now use CRISPR-Cas gene editing to change an insect’s genes.
For example, scientists can deploy modified male mosquitoes whose offspring never reach adulthood. Another method allows them to introduce genes (or bacteria like Wolbachia) that prevent mosquitoes from carrying viruses like dengue or Zika.
Researchers are also testing CRISPR on kissing bugs to curb the spread of Chagas disease and on ticks to reduce Lyme disease transmission. Some engineered insects are designed with self-limiting traits, so the changes fade out after a few generations.
Still, real-world deployment has seen uneven results. Concerns about ecological impacts, regulation and variable field results mean that CRISPR-based approaches are still undergoing careful testing.
If an outbreak is already brewing, however, every second counts. Medical entomology field teams can now get answers through portable tests that are small enough to carry around, including:
LAMP assays (developed for rapid detection of the dengue virus) let field teams identify infections in under an hour. It’s like having a mini lab in your backpack!
Think of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) as a detailed forecast. This technology layers satellite images, breeding site surveys, climate data and human movement patterns into a real-time map. Machine learning then scours that picture for patterns people can’t see—such as blackfly surges after a rainstorm or a tick outbreak.
UF’s Florida Medical Entomology Lab is already using this technology. Our field teams can predict where vectors will appear next and stop potential outbreaks before they spread.
Research published in PNAS shows that deep learning and computer vision are pushing medical entomology even further, using sensor-based monitoring, image recognition and automated trait detection to speed up decision-making. These advances are launching new opportunities for entomology enthusiasts with a special interest in mathematics, programming and AI.
Radioactive materials work like invisible GPS tags to track insects. This technology can trace every part of an insect’s journey and its lifespan. The International Atomic Energy Agency, for example, uses radioisotopes to mark and track tsetse flies in Africa.
Medical entomology is evolving fast, and medical entomologists are constantly upgrading technology to stop diseases before they spread. Let’s recap a few key points:
Does the thought of tackling vector-borne diseases with the newest technology excite you?
The University of Florida is a leader in entomology research and home to the nation’s top-ranked entomology programs, with specializations in:
Whether you want to use GIS mapping to spot mosquito breeding sites or smart traps that send instant updates, UF’s 100% online master’s degree and graduate certificate in medical entomology put you at the forefront of innovation — without moving or pausing your career.
Learn the science, apply it to real outbreaks and join a global community that’s passionate and committed to stopping vector-borne diseases. No lab coat or GRE required — just curiosity, commitment and the drive to make a difference.
Be the next scientist to stop an outbreak. Start at UF.
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list. Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a…
Have you ever felt pulled in two very different career directions — like wanting to be both a hair stylist and a lab technician?
Okay, that’s a far-fetched example, but humor us. At first glance, the pairing might seem impossible. But careers that appear unrelated can sometimes overlap, especially when science is involved.
Here’s a real-world example: public health and entomology. One field focuses on improving human well-being, the other centers on the close study of insects. Together, they create a unique, vital discipline: public health entomology. Specialists in this field — people who study insects with a focus on human health — work at the intersection of bugs and people, tackling everything from global disease outbreaks to local pest management.
If you’re fascinated by insects (especially those that spread disease) and want a career that combines science, problem-solving and community impact, public health entomology could be your ideal path.
Public health entomology is the study of insects (like mosquitoes, ticks and flies) that directly affect human health. These insects aren’t just annoying; they can spread serious diseases such as West Nile virus, dengue fever and Lyme disease.
Public health entomologists (often known as medical entomologists) study the life cycles, habitats and behaviors of insects to develop strategies that prevent disease transmission and protect communities before outbreaks occur.
Medical entomologists aren’t just observing insect behaviors. They’re on the front lines, keeping communities safe from the chaos that six- and eight-legged critters could cause if left unchecked.
So, how do they do it? These professionals:
Their work often combines field studies and laboratory research, spanning government agencies, hospitals and educational programs.
Careers in public health entomology involve a wide range of roles, from hands-on fieldwork to community education and policy consulting. Each role plays a critical part in protecting people from vector-borne diseases and improving our understanding of insect behavior.
Here’s a closer look at five key career paths.
Public health entomologists are essential for protecting communities from insect-borne diseases. They study insects like mosquitoes and ticks, tracking populations, observing habitats and analyzing behaviors to understand how these bugs transmit illnesses.
Key responsibilities include:
This role forms the foundation for more specialized careers in the field, offering a mix of fieldwork, lab research, problem-solving and public health impact.
Research scientists in entomology focus on uncovering the biology, behavior and disease transmission patterns of insects. Unlike public health entomologists, who blend fieldwork, community engagement and applied prevention, research scientists dive deep into experiments — both in the lab and the field — to discover new insights about disease vectors.
Key responsibilities include:
Many research scientists work for universities, government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or private research organizations. This role often requires a master’s or doctorate in entomology, biology or public health and is central to developing evidence-based strategies for disease prevention.
While research scientists focus on how insects spread diseases, vector control specialists work to reduce populations of disease-carrying insects to lower the risk of outbreaks. Their work blends fieldwork and data analysis using tools such as:
Some also take part in community outreach, helping residents understand why and how they should carry out control methods. Vector control specialists often work for local or state health departments, mosquito control districts or international health organizations.
Public health educators translate scientific research into practical guidance for the public. Their “students” include:
Educators design campaigns, run workshops, create educational materials and develop school programs to prevent insect-borne illnesses. Their goal is to raise awareness and change behavior in diverse populations.
If your interests lean more entrepreneurial, consulting can be a rewarding public health entomology path. Consultants use their expertise to advise clients on insect control and disease prevention strategies, in areas like:
If one of these career paths sounds like a match for you, you’ll need a strong foundation in biology and entomology. Most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree in entomology, biology or a related field. Advanced roles, like research scientist or consultant, typically call for a master’s or doctoral degree.
At the University of Florida, we offer four distinct graduate entomology specializations:
You can choose from a 30-credit master’s degree in one of our specializations or a 15-credit graduate degree. Both are entirely online, and either option allows you to focus on courses that matter to your future career, like Advanced Mosquito Biology.
Ready to take the next step? Apply now or check out our frequently asked questions to explore which specialization aligns with your career goals.
Public health initiatives include efforts to warn people of the dangers of smoking, heart disease and obesity. In many cases, simply informing the public of a problem is enough to mitigate it. However, not all problems can be solved with a persuasive pamphlet. Transmitted by insects, some of the world’s most infectious diseases can spread…
If you find yourself adding an extra layer of bug spray before your evening walks or instinctively swatting at every passing mosquito, your heightened vigilance is justified. Cases of vector-borne diseases have surged in recent years. There were over one million cases between 2001 and 2023 in the United States alone—and that number only includes…
What if your recent mosquito bite carried more than just the discomfort of being an itchy nuisance? What if it posed a significant risk of transmitting a deadly disease like malaria, yellow fever or Zika virus? According to the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases are responsible for causing over 700,000 deaths annually. Malaria alone caused…
Forget lions and sharks: When it comes to global health threats, the mosquito packs the deadliest punch. These tiny insects cause over 700,000 deaths per year.
When you think of mosquito control, you might picture traditional methods like insecticides and larvicides. These techniques have helped safeguard our communities for decades, but today’s scientists are developing smarter, bolder and more sustainable solutions to keep mosquito populations in check (and out of our backyards).
Let’s take a closer look at how modern mosquito control techniques are evolving and why they matter.
Traditional mosquito control relies on traps, repellents, misting and eliminating breeding sites. But today’s cutting-edge strategies start in the lab, where entomologists and public health scientists are pushing boundaries and investigating the biology, behavior and vulnerabilities of mosquito species.
Some key areas of research are:
The mosquito microbiome is the community of bacteria living inside mosquitoes. While not every mosquito is out to infect us with pathogens, the ones who are can spread deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika and yellow fever.
Research shows that changing a mosquito’s microbiome can reduce its ability to spread disease. Scientists are finding ways to introduce bacteria that block disease transmission, offering a more eco-friendly strategy for protecting human populations.
This is another game-changer: Gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas have allowed researchers to create genetically modified mosquitoes that:
These genetic approaches are promising, but it’ll take some extensive real-world testing before we can start sending mutant mosquitoes to battle their disease-laden counterparts.
Research breakthroughs mean little unless they translate into practical and scalable solutions. That’s why field testing is so important: It bridges the gap between theory and impact.
Here are some of the newest mosquito control trends playing out in communities today:
Building on a technique that was first used in agriculture, SIT uses radiation or genetic engineering to sterilize male mosquitoes.
Only female mosquitoes bite, but when sterile male mosquitoes are released into the wild, they mate with females, and no offspring are produced. Over time, this naturally lowers mosquito populations — without the widespread use of chemical pesticides.
The World Health Organization recommends SIT over harmful insecticides in the fight against diseases, particularly against Aedes mosquitoes that spread diseases like dengue and Zika.
Wolbachia bacteria are found naturally in about 50% of all insect species, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, moths and dragonflies. These bacteria aren’t harmful to humans, and they block viruses like dengue or West Nile from replicating inside mosquitoes.
Scientists are breeding mosquitoes with Wolbachia and releasing them into the wild. As they breed, they pass Wolbachia to their offspring, gradually lowering disease transmission rates.
This approach is a prime example of how entomologists are using nature to solve a problem while minimizing ecological disruption.
Finding and controlling mosquito breeding sites is easier with drone technology and remote surveillance systems. These tools help scientists survey wetlands, marshes and urban areas to find mosquito hotspots, enabling faster and more targeted interventions and saving time, money and resources.
Some areas even deploy smart mosquito traps with acoustic sensors that identify mosquito species by their unique wing-beat frequencies. These traps can capture mosquitoes without damage and collect real-time data on mosquito populations, helping experts target control measures more efficiently.
Challenges in Implementing New Mosquito Control Techniques
Of course, even the most exciting new technologies face challenges:
This is why ongoing research, education and community involvement remain key to successful mosquito control programs—now and in the future.
With continued innovation, mosquito control is becoming more sustainable, precise and impactful for global public health. Let’s recap what we’ve learned in this article:
Today’s mosquito control research blends lab science with real-world fieldwork, and there’s still so much ground to cover. If you’re passionate about disease prevention, public health and environmental protection, consider joining UF’s globally top-ranked, entirely online graduate entomology and nematology program.
The University of Florida is a global leader in vector-borne disease research, with experts at the Emerging Pathogen Institute driving innovation. You’ll explore the latest in vector-borne disease prevention and mosquito control techniques through an online curriculum that you can complete at your own pace, whether you’re pursuing a master’s degree, graduate certificate or just a few courses.
UF offers four tracks to specialize your studies, depending on your goals:
The next breakthrough in mosquito control could be yours. Are you up for the challenge? Take the next step and explore our program.
Sources:
https://www.synthego.com/blog/gene-drive-malaria
https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/genetically-modified-mosquitoes.html
Ticks are tiny. The problems they cause? Not so much. These tiny arachnids — about the size of an apple seed — spread more vector-borne diseases than almost any other insect. Lyme disease alone is diagnosed and treated in roughly 476,000 Americans each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And recently, emergency room…
A squirming larva that screws itself deeper into living flesh as it feeds? Yeah, a screwworm sound like something a horror writer invented after a very bad camping trip. Unfortunately, they’re real. Even more unfortunately, they’re flies. The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) can infest wounds and feed on…
Traveling exposes you to a lot of new experiences, like stumbling upon the best street food you’ve ever had. That’s part of what makes it worthwhile. But some surprises are worth getting ahead of, and vector-borne diseases are at the top of that list. Sure, you can’t avoid bugs entirely, but you can make yourself a much harder target. That takes preparation and a…
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide, and their presence in Europe is growing. Climate change, global travel and urbanization are creating ideal conditions for disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies to spread.
Across Europe, vector-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, West Nile virus, chikungunya and dengue fever are becoming more common and widespread. This rising risk has led to a coordinated push toward vector-borne disease preparedness, a public health strategy that combines surveillance, prevention, education and emergency planning to stop outbreaks before they start.
In this article, we’ll explore the main causes driving the spread of VBDs in Europe and examine how governments and communities are working together to monitor vectors and prevent future outbreaks.
Vector-borne diseases don’t spread in a vacuum: They’re shaped by our environment and how we behave within it. In Europe, several key factors are fueling the increased presence and persistence of vectors:
Getting ahead of vector-borne diseases starts with surveillance. Health authorities must know where vectors are and how they’re behaving. By tracking where vectors are found and how their populations change, officials can predict and prevent outbreaks.
Here are some of the teams making it happen:
The ECDC is an agency of the European Union dedicated to strengthening Europe’s defenses against infectious diseases. When it comes to vector-borne disease surveillance, it:
VectorNet is a joint project between the ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It takes vector surveillance to the next level by combining entomological expertise with data-driven tools.
Specifically, VectorNet:
This integrated surveillance system keeps Europe alert and prepared as environmental and ecological conditions shift.
With climate patterns shifting and global travel on the rise, European countries are ramping up their efforts to prevent and manage vector-borne disease outbreaks. Preparedness means building systems that anticipate and respond to threats early, both nationally and across borders.
Here’s how that work is unfolding:
European countries partner with the World Health Organization to align their vector preparedness strategies with global standards. The WHO offers technical guidance, training and risk assessment tools that support vector control programs and outbreak response. This partnership ensures Europe’s efforts are part of a global push to reduce vector-borne diseases.
Each EU member state develops its own vector preparedness plan tailored to local ecology, climate conditions and public health infrastructure. These plans typically include:
Mosquitoes certainly don’t need tiny passports to fly from one country to another, which is why cross-border preparedness is essential. Countries work closely with one another through EU-level frameworks like the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).
HERA helps by:
VBD preparedness doesn’t end with labs, legislation and logistics. It trickles down into everyday life, and that’s where public awareness comes in. Educating people about how vectors spread and what symptoms to watch for is key to prevention. When people are informed, they’re more likely to protect themselves and less likely to contribute to local disease spread.
EU member states use both classic public health outreach and digital tools to engage people where they are. Effective efforts include:
If you’re passionate about public health, vector ecology or disease prevention, the right education can help you make a difference. At the University of Florida, we don’t just study the spread of vector-borne diseases: We help stop them.
UF is home to the world’s #1 entomology and nematology program and offers two fully online credentials in medical entomology designed to fit your goals and schedule:
In just 15 credit hours, build a solid foundation in the science behind disease transmission. With courses like Ecology of Vector-Borne Diseases, Advanced Mosquito Biology and Arthropod Vector Identification, you’ll gain the skills to support vector control programs, public health initiatives and research efforts around the globe.
This 30-credit program combines a deep dive into medical entomology with a broader exploration of entomology. You’ll earn both a master’s degree and a graduate certificate upon completion, enhancing your credentials and career prospects in one powerful program.
Worried about balancing work and school? Our flexible, fully online format lets you study on your terms—no matter where you’re based. Whether you’re on the ground responding to health threats in Europe or working in a research lab halfway across the world, you’ll learn from leading experts in the field and gain credentials from a top-ranked university.
Explore your options and choose the path that fits your future.
Sources:
https://www.undrr.org/understanding-disaster-risk/terminology/hips/bi0023
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11768692
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9013813
When you hear the prefix “zoo,” it probably takes you back to childhood trips, eagerly watching some of your favorite four-legged creatures. You might not be familiar with the term zoonotic diseases, but you’ve likely guessed it has something to do with animals — and you’d be right! What Are Zoonotic Diseases? Zoonotic diseases are…
Forget lions and sharks: When it comes to global health threats, the mosquito packs the deadliest punch. These tiny insects cause over 700,000 deaths per year. When you think of mosquito control, you might picture traditional methods like insecticides and larvicides. These techniques have helped safeguard our communities for decades, but today’s scientists are developing…
Medical entomologists are dedicated to eliminating vector-borne diseases by surveying and managing the insects and other arthropods that cause them — and they’re needed now more than ever. There’s just one problem: professionals with a master’s degree or graduate certificate in medical entomology are increasingly rare in the public health field.
If you find yourself adding an extra layer of bug spray before your evening walks or instinctively swatting at every passing mosquito, your heightened vigilance is justified. Cases of vector-borne diseases have surged in recent years. There were over one million cases between 2001 and 2023 in the United States alone—and that number only includes reported cases.
The CDC estimates that only one in ten West Nile virus cases is reported, and the true number of Lyme disease cases could be ten times higher than those officially documented. This potential underreporting suggests an even larger and more concerning spread of vector-borne diseases within the United States, not to mention other countries around the world.
Vector-borne diseases are infections transmitted to humans and other animals through insects, known as vectors, that carry pathogens. Vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and fleas become infected when they feed on a host carrying a virus, bacteria or parasite. As they continue feeding on other animals or humans, they can transfer the pathogen, potentially causing illness in the newly infected host.
The question remains: Why are vector-borne disease rates increasing?
Several factors affect the number of recent cases.
When it comes to climate change and vector-borne diseases, rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are reshaping ecosystems to favor disease-carrying insect populations. For instance, the record-breaking heat of 2023, which was 2.12°F above the 20th-century average, is a perfect example of how rising global temperatures can boost the populations of disease-carrying insects. Insects like mosquitoes thrive in warm environments, and climate change is enabling them to expand their habitats, possibly even into regions that were once too cold for them to survive.
In addition to temperature shifts, climate change intensifies the total rainfall in certain areas. Frequent rain creates more standing water, an essential component for mosquito breeding. With more precipitation, mosquitoes are given the ideal conditions for increasing their numbers, therefore boosting the likelihood of outbreaks in these regions.
The affordability and accessibility of modern transportation have transformed global travel. Planes, trains and automobiles have made it increasingly easy for people to explore new destinations and reconnect with distant family members. However, this ease of travel also inadvertently helps pathogens reach new regions.
Unknowing travelers can carry vector-borne diseases to places that may lack the public health infrastructure or immunity levels to effectively manage and contain outbreaks. When they arrive at their destination, a mosquito or other vector might bite them and transmit the pathogen to other humans, possibly triggering an unwanted outbreak in that region.
Air travel, specifically, offers a quick means for vectors hitchhiking in cargo and infected individuals to reach new areas. This ease of global movement makes it much easier to rapidly spread diseases like malaria and dengue.
As awareness of increasing infection rates grows, developing effective solutions to this problem becomes increasingly crucial. Below, we explore some potential strategies.
To lower temperatures and mitigate the effects of climate change, it’s essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although this is a significant undertaking, transitioning to renewable energy sources and enforcing regulations like carbon pricing could help slow climate change. On a smaller scale, communities affected by increased precipitation could lead initiatives focused on neighborhood cleanups to reduce standing water and promote the use of insect repellent.
While some vector-borne diseases are resistant to drugs and lack vaccines, others do have available vaccines, such as the one for malaria. Providing at-risk communities with these vaccines and other resources, like insect repellents and mosquito nets, can help limit exposure and decrease infection rates.
Other public health initiatives to consider include:
As the need for effective control of vector-borne diseases grows, so does the demand for medical entomologists to study vector behavior, disease transmission and control methods. With the right training, you can transform your passion into a rewarding, life-saving career. The University of Florida’s specialization in medical entomology emphasizes vector ecology and disease dynamics, featuring courses like Advanced Mosquito Biology and Arthropod Vector Identification.
If you’re interested in managing disease-spreading vectors, we also offer specializations in Landscape Pest Management and Urban Pest Management. You can choose to earn a 15-credit graduate certificate or a 30-credit master’s degree with any of our specializations. Our master’s program combines the coursework from the graduate certificate with additional general entomology courses, giving you a well-rounded education while allowing you to focus on your chosen area of expertise.
Explore all of our program options, and reach out if you have any questions!
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/vector-borne-diseases/about/index.html
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature
