Mosquito Ecology and Control

This week, Prof. Chuang will discuss mosquito ecology and control.

Firstly, he highlighted the impact of mosquito-borne diseases on global health, accounting for 17% of the global burden of infectious diseases, with around 700,000 deaths per year. Secondly, he focused on the ecology of mosquitoes and how it relates to the spatial distribution of vector-borne diseases. Different mosquito species exhibit different behaviors and preferences, which affects their ability to transmit diseases in different regions. Lastly, Chuang discussed insecticide resistance and control measures to manage mosquito populations. With climate and environmental changes, the incidence of vector-borne diseases is expected to increase, posing a significant threat to public health.

Review questions:

• What percentage of the global burden of infectious diseases is accounted for by vector-borne diseases?
• Which mosquito species is the primary vector for dengue, zika, and chikungunya?
• What are the three major mosquito species discussed in the presentation, and what diseases do they transmit?
• How does the ecology of mosquitoes relate to the spatial distribution of vector-borne diseases?
• What are some of the challenges associated with controlling mosquito populations, and why are these measures important?

Regenerate response