Infectious Vectors: Conversations on Tick and Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Ticks and mosquitoes are small but dangerous vectors that transmit a range of serious diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, West Nile virus, and dengue. The severity of tick and mosquito seasons is influenced by environmental factors like climate, habitat, and host availability, and experts warn that rising temperatures may increase both the spread and complexity of these infections. Healthcare professionals must remain vigilant in recognizing regional and seasonal patterns, using appropriate lab testing to guide diagnosis and treatment, and educating patients on prevention strategies such as insect repellents and awareness of exposure risks. The following podcast episodes feature microbiology-related interviews that discuss these topics.
Learning objectives
- Describe the role of ticks and mosquitoes as vectors in transmitting serious infectious diseases.
- Analyze how environmental factors, including climate change, impact the prevalence and distribution of vector-borne illnesses.
- Recognize the importance of regional and seasonal awareness in the diagnosis and management of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases.
- Identify effective prevention strategies and appropriate use of laboratory testing in addressing vector-borne infections.
Intended audience
- A Mayo Clinic-curated podcast for physicians, laboratory professionals, students.
Podcast episodes
Tick Talk
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One Small Bite, Deadly for Mankind
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Tick Talk 2022
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Credit
The following types of credit are offered upon completion of all bundled podcast episodes:
ASCLS P.A.C.E.®
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. This program has been approved for a maximum of 1.0 P.A.C.E.® contact hour.
State of Florida
Mayo Clinic Laboratories is approved as a Continuing Education Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences for the State of Florida. Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel has designated this program for General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology) credit. This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hour.
To obtain credit
- Listen to/view all bundled podcast episodes.
- Complete the post test and evaluation.
- Generate and print your certificate(s).
Level of instruction for this program is basic.
Credit for these podcast episodes expires on October 3, 2027.
Faculty disclosure
Course director(s), planning committee, faculty, and all others who are in a position to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest related to the subject matter of the educational activity. Safeguards against commercial bias have been put in place. Faculty members also will disclose any off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments discussed in their presentations. Disclosure of this information will be published in course materials so those participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments regarding the presentations.
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A Mayo Clinic-curated podcast for physicians, laboratory professionals, and students, hosted by Dr. Justin Kreuter, assistant professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic, and featuring trending educational topics from subject matter experts.
