Medical entomology: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 09:15, 27 March 2025

Study of insect impacts on human health

The discipline of medical entomology, or public health entomology, and also veterinary entomology is focused upon insects and arthropods that impact human health. Veterinary entomology is included in this category, because many animal diseases can "jump species" and become a human health threat, for example, bovine encephalitis. Medical entomology also includes scientific research on the behavior, ecology, and epidemiology of arthropod disease vectors, and involves a tremendous outreach to the public, including local and state officials and other stake holders in the interest of public safety.

Public health entomology has seen a huge surge in interest since 2005, due to the resurgence of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius.

Insects of medical importance[edit]

There are many insects (and other arthropods) that affect human health. These arthropods include Diptera, Hemiptera, Phthiraptera, and Siphonaptera. They can parasitize, bite, sting, cause allergic reactions, and/or vector disease to humans. It can be impossible to know the full impact that insects and other arthropods have on human health. Medical entomologists worldwide are working to combat the known effects in order to improve public health.

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-'''Medical Entomology''' is the branch of [[entomology]] that focuses on the study of insects and arthropods that impact human health. This field is crucial in understanding and controlling vector-borne diseases, which are diseases transmitted by insects or other arthropods.
+{{Short description|Study of insect impacts on human health}}
+[[File:CDC-Gathany-Aedes-albopictus-1.jpg|thumb|Aedes albopictus]]
+[[File:US Navy 100506-N-7498L-189 Lt. Brian Heintschel studies a sample of insects collected from ships and shore facilities.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Navy medical entomologist identifying insects]]
+The discipline of '''medical entomology''', or '''public health entomology''', and also ''veterinary entomology'' is focused upon [[insect]]s and [[arthropod]]s that impact human health. Veterinary entomology is included in this category, because many animal diseases can "jump species" and become a human health threat, for example, bovine encephalitis. Medical entomology also includes scientific research on the behavior, ecology, and [[epidemiology]] of arthropod disease [[Vector (epidemiology)|vectors]], and involves a tremendous outreach to the public, including local and state officials and other stake holders in the interest of public safety.
-== Overview ==
+Public health entomology has seen a huge surge in interest since 2005, due to the resurgence of the bed bug, ''Cimex lectularius.''
-[[Medical entomology]] involves the study of insects, arthropods, and similar organisms that are involved in causing diseases in humans. It also includes the study of how these organisms transmit diseases, known as [[vector-borne diseases]]. Some of the most common vectors studied in medical entomology include mosquitoes, ticks, and flies.
+== Insects of medical importance ==
+There are many insects (and other arthropods) that affect human health. These arthropods include [[Diptera]], [[Hemiptera]], [[Phthiraptera]], and [[Siphonaptera]]. They can parasitize, bite, sting, cause allergic reactions, and/or vector disease to humans. It can be impossible to know the full impact that insects and other arthropods have on human health. Medical entomologists worldwide are working to combat the known effects in order to improve public health.
-== History ==
+{{Infectious disease}}
+[[Category:Subfields of entomology]]
-The field of medical entomology has a long history, with early civilizations recognizing the role of insects in disease transmission. However, it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the field began to develop as a distinct discipline. This was largely due to the work of scientists like [[Patrick Manson]], who discovered the role of mosquitoes in transmitting [[malaria]], and [[Carlos Finlay]], who proposed that mosquitoes were the vector for [[yellow fever]].
+[[Category:Medical specialties]]
+[[Category:Academic disciplines]]
-== Vector-Borne Diseases ==
-Vector-borne diseases are illnesses that are transmitted by vectors, which are organisms that carry and spread infectious pathogens into humans. Some of the most common vector-borne diseases studied in medical entomology include:
-* [[Malaria]]: A disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
-* [[Dengue fever]]: A viral illness spread by the Aedes mosquito.
-* [[Lyme disease]]: A bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected ticks.
-* [[Zika virus]]: A disease caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes.
-== Control Methods ==
-Medical entomologists also study and develop methods to control vector populations and prevent the spread of diseases. These methods can include chemical controls, such as insecticides, and biological controls, such as introducing predators or sterilizing insects.
-== See Also ==
-* [[Entomology]]
-* [[Vector (epidemiology)]]
-* [[Insecticide]]
-* [[Biological pest control]]
-== References ==
-<references />
-[[Category:Medical entomology]]
-[[Category:Entomology]]
-[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
-[[Category:Public health]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}
-{{Entomology-stub}}