What’s so attractive about human blood? How have human interactions with insects evolved? Insects and ticks transmit viral, bacterial, protozoan and filarial diseases to humans, particularly in tropical countries. Zika, most recently, and also dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses pose an emerging challenge in the southern US as climate change increases the range of important vector species. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the US, and pose challenges in diagnosis and treatment. This course covers contemporary topics in "Medical Entomology" that will provide an overview of arthropod-borne disease and its impacts on global health from the perspective of insect vectors and microbial pathogens. Students will explore historical, contemporary and epidemiologic stories demonstrating exposure and control strategies via lecture, student discussions, laboratory demonstrations, and critical review of current best practices in medical entomology. This course is designed for upper division undergraduate and graduate students in any major or minor.
Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for: ENT 5275