Article
Entomology
Heather L. Kopsco, Roland J. Duhaime, Thomas N. Mather
Summary: Tick identification is crucial for assessing disease risk, but a study found that users often misidentify ticks. The research revealed common misidentification among different tick species, with a higher likelihood of mistakes in identifying nymph-stage ticks.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Andrea Egizi, Nicole E. Wagner, Robert A. Jordan, Dana C. Price
Summary: Lone star ticks are expanding in the northeast United States and outnumbering blacklegged ticks. There is a need to focus on the health risks of A. americanum-transmitted pathogens, such as Heartland and Bourbon viruses. In Monmouth County, NJ, three lone star ticks were found to be carrying Bourbon virus, with a genome closely related to human pathogenic isolates. This has important public health implications for the region.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Heather L. Kopsco, Roland J. Duhaime, Thomas N. Mather
Summary: Passive tick surveillance through photograph submissions has proven to be a valuable tool in documenting tick distributions on a nationwide scale, identifying new foci, and highlighting at-risk localities that could benefit from tick-bite prevention education.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dani Bancroft, Grace M. Power, Robert T. Jones, Eduardo Massad, Jorge Bernstein Iriat, Raman Preet, John Kinsman, James G. Logan
Summary: In response to the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil and the emergence of neonatal microcephaly, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. A national campaign was launched to control mosquito populations and reduce Zika virus transmission, but challenges in achieving adherence to preventive measures were identified. A qualitative study conducted by the Zika Preparedness Latin America Network (ZikaPLAN) highlighted the importance of community-level research to understand and address barriers to engagement with vector control strategies. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was applied to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to Zika virus and mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. Participants included adults of reproductive age in two distinct cities in Brazil — Jundiai and Salvador. Key themes that emerged from the analysis included knowledge and cues to action, attitudes and normative beliefs, behavior change, and community preferences for repellent tools and messaging strategies. The study emphasized the need for improved accessibility, appearance, and effectiveness of repellent products, as well as the importance of targeting men in health campaigns and strengthening community engagement and surveillance efforts at the national level.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Philip Orishaba, Edward Kayongo, Pastan Lusiba, Caroline Nakalema, Peter Kasadha, Perez Kirya, Ismael Kawooya, Rhona Mijumbi-Deve
Summary: The study aims to comprehensively update the literature on malaria burden indicators when indoor residual spraying (IRS) is withdrawn, and evaluate the impact of this exit strategy. The research will use systematic search and meta-analysis methods to identify and analyze relevant studies, and the results will be disseminated through academic publications and conference presentations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dustin T. Hill, Hannah Cousins, Bryan Dandaraw, Catherine Faruolo, Alex Godinez, Sythong Run, Simon Smith, Megan Willkens, Shruti Zirath, David A. Larsen
Summary: Wastewater surveillance has significantly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and is considered an important public health tool. A survey conducted among municipal treatment plant supervisors in New York State found that while most supervisors were aware of the ability to track COVID-19 through wastewater, their knowledge about surveillance for other public health issues was limited. The study also revealed a direct association between attitudes towards wastewater testing and the reported capacity of treatment plants to take samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elissa Meites, Kristina L. Bajema, Anita Kambhampati, Mila Prill, Vincent C. Marconi, Sheldon T. Brown, Maria C. Rodriguez-Barradas, David O. Beenhouwer, Mark Holodniy, Cynthia Lucero-Obusan, Cristina Cardemil, Jordan Cates, Diya Surie
Summary: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC used existing hospital networks for surveillance. The SUPERNOVA platform adapted for COVID-19 surveillance provided important data on disease burden and outcomes. Participants with COVID-19 had higher risk of adverse outcomes compared to controls, highlighting the importance of surveillance data in public health emergencies.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Cassandra Urquhart, Jamesina J. Scott
Summary: Yellowjacket traps were compared in Lake County, California, with the Rescue! Yellowjacket trap being the most effective and cost-efficient, collecting the highest number of yellowjackets and costing approximately $0.40/100 yellowjackets collected. The study found that homemade traps and other commercially available traps were less effective and costlier in comparison.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Howard Chiou, Christopher Voegeli, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Jessica Kolis, Kathryn Brookmeyer, Dimitri Prybylski
Summary: Infodemic surveillance systems are crucial in detecting and responding to outbreaks of misinformation, disinformation, information overload, or information voids. These systems monitor the information environment, identify infodemic events with digital analytics, and generate timely routine reports to ensure timely interventions for both epidemic and infodemic response are deployed in an increasingly hyperconnected world.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Melissa Krizia Vieri, Leonard Ngarka, Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi, Leonard N. Nfor, Michel Karngong Mengnjo, Adam Hendy, Peter A. Enyong, Dennis Palmer, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Robert Colebunders, Alfred K. Njamnshi
Summary: Despite decades of community-directed treatment with ivermectin, onchocerciasis remains endemic in Cameroon. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of annual 'slash and clear' interventions combined with CDTI in reducing onchocerciasis transmission and epilepsy incidence. The findings will be disseminated at national and international levels through meetings and peer-reviewed publications.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marti Catala, Ermengol Coma, Sergio Alonso, Enrique Alvarez-Lacalle, Silvia Cordomi, Daniel Lopez, Francesc Fina, Manuel Medina-Peralta, Clara Prats, Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
Summary: This study introduces Effective Potential Growth (EPG) as a novel measure for the early identification of local COVID-19 outbreaks, based on primary care electronic medical records and PCR-confirmed cases. Results show that increasing EPG precedes local hospital and ICU admissions as well as mortality increases, making it a useful tool for monitoring community transmission and early identification of COVID-19 local outbreaks.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dallas S. Shi, Jessica L. Rinsky, George R. Grimes, Sophia K. Chiu
Summary: The study found that the number of Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs) on workplace cancer cluster concerns has remained steady over the past two decades. The majority of investigations did not confirm cancer clusters or identify occupational causes. This provides public health practitioners with valuable information and encourages them to refine investigative approaches.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Adriana Troyo, Maria Paula Gonzalez-Sequeira, Monica Aguirre-Salazar, Ian Cambronero-Ortiz, Luis Enrique Chaves-Gonzalez, Maria Jose Mejias-Alpizar, Kendall Alvarado-Molina, Olger Calderon-Arguedas, Diana Rojas-Araya
Summary: Throughout history, women have actively participated in the advancement of science despite challenges and lack of recognition. Efforts have been made to acknowledge their contributions, especially in fields dominated by men, including medical entomology. This review aims to compile a list of 22 women who made significant contributions to the field, providing role models for the future.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Candace C. Fuller, Austin Cosgrove, Kenneth Sands, Karla M. Miller, Russell E. Poland, Edward Rosen, Alfred Sorbello, Henry Francis, Robert Orr, Sarah K. Dutcher, Gregory T. Measer, Noelle M. Cocoros
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between treatment timing during hospitalization and influenza severity, revealing that patients who were treated later or not treated at all tended to have more comorbidities and higher rates of mortality and need for intensive care.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Laura Calero, Gustavo Monti
Summary: This study used scenario tree modeling to assess the sensitivity of Ecuador's current national surveillance system to leptospirosis. The research found regional variations in sensitivity, with the Coast region having the highest sensitivity and the Andes region having the lowest. The probability of seeking medical attention and the probability of experiencing symptoms were identified as important factors influencing the system's sensitivity.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Heather L. Kopsco, Roland J. Duhaime, Thomas N. Mather
Summary: Passive tick surveillance through photograph submissions has proven to be a valuable tool in documenting tick distributions on a nationwide scale, identifying new foci, and highlighting at-risk localities that could benefit from tick-bite prevention education.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Heather L. Kopsco, Roland J. Duhaime, Thomas N. Mather
Summary: Crowdsourced data analysis showed that adult ticks are commonly found on pets, posing a heightened risk for disease transmission. The proportion of ticks found on pets increases during colder months, indicating a critical knowledge gap among pet owners about seasonal activity of I. scapularis, a vector of Lyme disease, presenting an opportunity for prevention education.
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Entomology
E. A. Bacon, H. Kopsco, P. Gronemeyer, N. Mateus-Pinilla, R. L. Smith
Summary: The range of ticks in North America has been increasing due to climate change, leading to a rise in cases of tick-borne disease. This study investigates the impact of climate factors on the abundance of three tick species in different regions of Illinois. The results suggest that temperature and precipitation affect each tick species differently, and there is also variation between regions. The findings provide valuable information for defining risk periods of tick exposure and highlight the importance of tailored responses to different tick species.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Heather L. Kopsco, Thomas N. Mather
Summary: The study found that the majority of users in a crowdsourced passive tick surveillance system and Master Gardeners encountered ticks in the past year, with tick checks being one of the most commonly practiced prevention behaviors. Master Gardeners were more likely to use skin repellents compared to TickSpotters users, but both groups could benefit from improved use of permethrin-treatment on clothing and peridomestic tick treatments.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samantha D. Crist, Heather Kopsco, Alexandria Miller, Peg Gronemeyer, Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of veterinary professionals in Central and Southern Illinois in order to lay the foundation for targeted educational and outreach programs addressing knowledge gaps. Results indicate that knowledge scores were significantly higher among veterinary practitioners who have received recent training on TBD, and the number of TBD cases diagnosed was higher among those who expressed concern about TBD and routinely tested for TBDs. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing veterinary education on ticks and TBDs for both companion animals and public health, as well as the potential benefits of partnerships between academia and industry to improve understanding and capacity in the veterinary community.
Review
Ecology
Heather L. Kopsco, Rebecca L. Smith, Samniqueka J. Halsey
Summary: Species distribution models are useful tools for predicting tick habitat suitability and range movement, but there is a need for standardized protocols for tick vector species distribution and ecological niche modeling.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. A. Uelmen, H. Kopsco, J. Mori, W. M. Brown, R. L. Smith
Summary: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 520 million cases and 6.2 million deaths worldwide, with more than 1 million deaths in the United States. Elderly and immunocompromised individuals are most at risk. Contrary to common belief, counties with high university enrollment have lower case rates and slight decreases in mortality rates, likely due to adherence to public safety measures and vaccinations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dawn A. Carson, Heather Kopsco, Peg Gronemeyer, Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, Genee S. Smith, Emma N. Sandstrom, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Illinois clinicians towards ticks and tick-borne diseases. It found that while clinicians had good knowledge about Lyme disease, they lacked knowledge about other tick-borne diseases endemic to the state. Tick/TBD training within the past two years was identified as the strongest predictor of knowledge.
Article
Entomology
Heather L. Kopsco, Peg Gronemeyer, Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, Rebecca L. Smith
Summary: The variable landscape of Illinois creates a patchwork of tickborne disease risk that can be predicted based on climate and landscape features. By fitting species distribution models for different tick species, we identified environmental factors associated with their presence in the current and future climate scenarios in Illinois. As the environment changes, the distribution of these ticks will also change, highlighting the importance of knowing where ticks may concentrate for disease prevention and treatment.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Heather L. Kopsco, Rayda K. Krell, Thomas N. Mather, Neeta P. Connally
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the trustworthiness of Lyme disease prevention information among internet users and the channels they use to obtain this information. The results showed that conventional experts such as the Centers for Disease Control, physicians, and academics were considered trustworthy sources, but nearly one-fourth of respondents would consult personal contacts and web-based communities first. Additionally, some participants expressed doubts about the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Heather L. Kopsco, Roland J. Duhaime, Thomas N. Mather
Summary: Tick identification is crucial for assessing disease risk, but a study found that users often misidentify ticks. The research revealed common misidentification among different tick species, with a higher likelihood of mistakes in identifying nymph-stage ticks.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)