ENTOM 4520 - [Biology of Disease Vectors]

Fall. Not offered: 2023-2024. Next offered: 2024-2025. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Recommended prerequisite: prior college-level biology course. Co-meets with VTPEH 6112.

L. Harrington.

This course introduces vector taxonomy, evolution, biology, behavior, and the history of vector-borne disease control, with an emphasis on the USA. Some lectures will feature “expert spotlights”: brief conversations with experts in vector control/public health who will join the class live or via recorded video link. Through a series of lectures and projects, you will have a chance to gain knowledge of the latest surveillance approaches, control methods, and challenges for controlling vector-borne diseases. In this course, we intend for you to gain an understanding of arthropod biology, body plans, organ systems, behavior and physiology, infection biology and immunity. You will demonstrate a solid understanding of disease vector evolutionary relationships. Our ultimate goal is for you to learn how to apply knowledge gained from the class in your future roles as entomologists, health experts or public health practitioners.

Outcome 1: Understand fundamental concepts in public health entomology, vector biology, behavior, surveillance, control and public health programming.
You will be:
• able to explain mosquito and tick biology, body plans, organ systems, behavior and physiology, infection biology and immunity.
• able to demonstrate knowledge of arthropod behavior, host finding and sensory systems • able to demonstrate knowledge of classification and vector diversity.
• interpret how different environmental and socioeconomic systems impact infectious disease epidemiology.
• integrate the general principles of infectious disease epidemiology and biology to explain infectious disease events and programs.
• able to apply what you have learned from class examples to understand new disease outbreaks and challenges of the future.
• aware of the most up-to-date issues and challenges for vectorborne diseases.
• able to describe who key players are and actions taken in public health emergency responses in the face of vectorborne disease outbreaks.

Outcome 2: Be knowledgeable about the latest monitoring and control tools and challenges for controlling mosquito and tick vectors.
You will be:
• able to explain the latest approaches for mosquito and tick control in detail; and highlight the pros and cons and efficacy of each approach.
• compare and contrast infectious disease prevention and control strategies and systems.
• able to demonstrate your understanding of basic approaches to surveillance of mosquitoes and ticks.
• able to apply your knowledge to develop a suitable monitoring and public health intervention strategy.
• Critique methods of infectious disease diagnostics and detection systems.

Outcome 3: Apply the knowledge gained from the class in your present or future roles as an informed citizen and in potential careers, including animal and human health professionals, public health practitioners and policy makers.
You will be:
• aware of how you may encounter the subjects covered in your own future career and personal life.
• able to communicate important issues related to vector control learned in class to the lay public.