Famous Diseases Caused by Infamous Pests

Author: Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist

Pests impact our lives in several important ways, including our health and safety. In this blog, we explore some of the oldest pest-driven diseases and their historical significance.

Malaria

Disease Vector: Mosquitoes (Anopheles sp.)

Pathogen: Protozoan (Plasmodium sp.)

Malaria is one of the oldest known insect-borne diseases, affecting human health since ancient times. It is caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted to humans through bites from infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Fossilized mosquitoes in amber suggest Plasmodium-like parasites existed as far back as 30 million years ago. The earliest confirmed human cases have been identified through DNA analysis of remains, including Roman-era burials from around 450 AD. Malaria was widespread and deadly in many ancient civilizations, and even King Tutankhamun’s remains tested positive for the disease, which may have contributed to his early death. Today, while malaria remains a serious issue in regions of Africa, Asia, and South America, advances in mosquito control, preventive medicine, and public health have made it far more manageable.

The Bubonic Plague

Disease Vector: Fleas & Rodents

Pathogen: Bacteria (Yersinia pestis)

In the mid-1300s, much of Europe was struck with a devastating disease. The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Plague, was a pandemic with a high rate of mortality. Though people were unsure of the cause of the disease at the time, we now know that it was a dual effort from two distinct pests: rodents and fleas. Rodents served as the main reservoir for the disease, harboring and amplifying the bacteria without becoming sick. Fleas would feed on infected rodents, pick up the bacteria during the exchange, and pass it along to the next thing they bit. Close living quarters, unsanitary environments, and the inability to control rodent and flea populations lead to fast transmission of the plague throughout communities. Though the bubonic plague has not been eradicated, modern cases can be treated and cured by advanced antibiotics, so long as they are available.

Dysentery

Disease Vector: Flies and Roaches

Pathogen: Bacteria (Shigella sp.)

During the early development of the United States, many families traveled westward to seek prosperity and new horizons. While modern-day travel could take you from coast to coast in a matter of hours, early Americans had to make the long haul with a horse and buggy, a bull and a wagon, or, in the worst times, by foot. Due to close quarters, low sanitation standards, and limited supplies, many individuals contracted dysentery, an intestinal disease, during their travel. Dysentery is a disease contracted and spread by various means of contamination, and insects certainly played a part in the continued spread of the dysentery bacteria. Both flies and roaches, known for their affinity to filth, can pick up diseases when crawling across surfaces or feeding on waste and deposit disease agents in new areas. In modern times, this disease has become a less prominent cause of death, but at the time of the Oregon Trail, it's estimated nearly 10% of all travelers died of dysentery.

Epidemic Typhus – Lice

Disease Vector: Body Lice (Pediculus humanus humanus)

Pathogen: Bacteria (Rickettsia prowazekii)

In the trenches of World War I, disease was a real threat for many armed forces. Some illnesses persisted due to intense environmental conditions like excessive moisture from precipitation and poor water quality. Other diseases, however, were spread by the closeness of troupes and the lack of sanitation. Epidemic typhus was commonly spread from person to person via infected body lice. Symptoms could include fever, body aches, rashes, and headaches; severe cases could result in neurological issues and kidney failure. Though it cannot be said that epidemic typhus significantly changed the outcome of the war, it represents one of the feats our armed forces overcame in securing a win for the Allied forces.

Red Meat Allergy

Disease Vector: Tick (Amblyomma americanum)

Pathogen: Foreign Molecule (galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose)

Not all diseases spread by insects are life-threatening, but they can have life-altering effects. Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as mammalian meat allergy, is a condition that can develop after being bitten by the Lone Star tick, the same tick that spreads Human Ehrlichiosis. First discovered in 2009, individuals who contract the alpha-gal molecule from tick bites can develop intense, delayed allergic reactions to red meat consumption. Unlike other allergies, the body may not react until hours after consumption, making alpha-gal syndrome difficult to detect initially. Reactions may include full-body hives, digestive issues, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Currently, there are no cures for this condition. Hopefully, as gene therapy and molecular science expand our knowledge of molecular diseases, better treatment regimens will be developed in the coming years.

We’re Here To Help!

As leaders in the industry and protectors of public health, we understand first-hand the impact of insect-borne diseases. With Mosquito Squad Plus, we can now help control more pests than ever before. Each Mosquito Squad Plus location is locally owned and operated, so the technicians treating your home know the exact pest trends in your community. Take the guesswork out of pest work and call a Squad near you today! Services vary by location.