Plague is responsible for killing millions of humans from the 14th through 19th centuries. Scientists originally thought the pandemics were caused when people were bit by fleas that had previously been feeding off of rats infected with the plague causing bacteria, Yersinia pestis. However, research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science suggests the pandemics were caused by human ectoparasites meaning fleas and lice were spreading plague causing bacteria from human to human not rat to human.
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The threat of new Zika infections was dying down because of herd immunity. Herd immunity provides indirect protection to individuals when a large enough proportion of the population become immune. Because mosquitoes acquire Zika virus from biting infected people, this herd immunity should also stop new mosquitoes from becoming infected with the virus. However, this recent study shows mosquitoes can acquire the virus from mating with other mosquitoes, potentially ensuring that mosquitoes continue to remain infective even after people in a geographic region are immune. The implication of this study is Zika could continue to be an issue to travelers and immigrants in endemic regions and not go away as expected. https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13071-017-2543-4?site=parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com A recent study shows higher than normal genetic variability among malaria vectoring mosquitoes. Genetic variability enables the evolution of insecticide resistance by ensuring that some individuals will survive concentrations of insecticide that would be lethal to the majority of the population. Malaria infections in Africa have been reduced by using multiple tools such as drug therapy, better diagnosis and insecticides; however, vector management has contributed the most to this reduction. Unfortunately, insecticide resistance threatens our most valuable tool. Resistance management strategies using multiple intervention tools need to be developed before starting any control program that kills the pest. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/358/6366/998 Pathogens contaminate surfaces in a variety of ways including hitchhiking on insects and dropping off onto the objects that come into contact with those "insect vehicles". One study found that flies can potentially disperse hundreds of different microorganisms. https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/ps-fdp112217.php Previous exposure to dengue could provide protection against Zika infection. Yet another example that we have barely begun to understand this virus. http://outbreaknewstoday.com/prior-dengue-exposure-shows-cross-protection-zika-study-56836/ The first step in a good integrated pest management program is surveillance- making detection key. New technologies may be able to identify mosquitoes by their wingbeats using affordable devices, which could lead to prescriptive mosquito management resulting in less insecticides in the environment. https://elifesciences.org/articles/27854 Most people recognize how ticks and mosquitoes affect lives, but the impact cockroaches have on human health is often over looked. Cockroaches are a leading cause of asthma in children living in urban environments. Baits alone can reduce the number of insects in people's homes and improve their health by providing more asthma free days compared to homes not using baits to control their infestation. http://www.pctonline.com/article/cockroach-bait-improves-asthma-outcomes/ In the U.S., ticks get more people sick than mosquitoes. Always remember to dress appropriately and wear insect repellent when enjoying the outdoors-even in cooler months. https://www.romper.com/p/this-mom-is-warning-people-about-the-hidden-health-risk-of-visiting-a-pumpkin-patch-2983199 Understanding why corporations partner with academia can elude some industries. The long term investment that generates innovation can differentiate proactive and reactive companies granting a competitive advantage and majority market share. https://monsanto.com/company/articles/monsanto-work-academics/ |
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