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Weeks 7 and 8

Continuing to Trap and ID


Over the past two weeks, I've continued to go out in the field and collect mosquitoes using CDC CO2 traps and gravid traps. No mosquitoes in our towns have tested positive for any diseases yet, which is good! But, Norfolk County had its first case of West Nile and Plymouth County had its first case of EEE last week, so we expect a positive soon. The number of perturbans we caught has decreased dramatically compared to the last couple weeks. As the CDC traps become less full, the gravid traps are getting fuller. I'm getting more familiar with distinguishing Culex mosquitoes and will continue to practice this over the rest of the internship.

First of the Trainee Summer Seminar Series!

Dr. Beard: Future Vector-Borne Disease Workforce 

On Friday, I attended Dr. Ben Beard's insightful presentation on the future trajectory of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Dr. Beard emphasized the profound impact of climate change on VBDs, highlighting how shifts in climate patterns such as milder winters and wetter summers expand the habitats suitable for mosquitoes and ticks. 

Beyond environmental factors, Dr. Beard underscored the pivotal role of social dynamics in exacerbating VBD risks. Factors like urbanization, habitat destruction, and increased human-vector and vector-reservoir interaction are also significant contributors to the spread of these diseases. Importantly, Dr. Beard stressed that addressing VBDs requires not only environmental adaptation but also improvements in healthcare accessibility and the implementation of effective prevention strategies.

A key takeaway from the talk was the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle this complex issue effectively. Dr. Beard's call for diverse teams underscores the need for professionals from various fields to work together in combating VBDs. Through interdisciplinary efforts, we can make significant strides in mitigating the impact of these diseases in the future.

Charles Abadam, Mosquito Control Superintendent

I loved hearing about how Charles customized mosquito management for his region. It’s fascinating to see how his research directly improved management strategies. It’s inspiring to hear how motivated he is and how he enhanced what Suffolk, Virginia was doing. His curiosity is really inspiring. It’s great to hear about how he can pursue his interests to shape his work.



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