c. Dermatosis. Dermatosis, or skin irritation, frequently results from arthropods,
particularly those which burrow into the skin (such as ticks and mites) and set up
secondary infections from scratching or from the breaking off of body parts in the skin.
d. Allergies. An allergy is the hypersensitivity of an individual to a specific
substance.
Continued exposure to substances such as dead insect bodies or insect
venoms may cause an individual to develop an allergy to these substances.
Allergies to the sting of ordinary bees and wasps are sometimes so
severe as to cause death.
e. Myiasis. Myiasis is an invasion of the tissues by fly larvae. Specific myiasis
is caused by parasitic flies such as the screwworm fly and botfly, whose larvae require
living flesh as a specific host. Accidental myiasis is caused by larvae hatching from
eggs laid by ordinary flies in wounds or around the eyes.
f. Entomophobia. Entomophobia is an intense, abnormal fear of insects or
other arthropods. Individuals suffering from entomophobia may experience nervous
disorders, and medical attention may be required. Entomophobia should not be
dismissed as trivial; affected individuals should be handled with understanding.
HEALTH
Affected by Arthropods
Direct injury
Envenomization
Dermatosis
Allergies
Myiasis
Entomophobia
5-4.
ARTHROPOD-BORNE PATHOGENS
Arthropods serve as vectors for the transmission of some species of almost every type
of disease agent.
a. Bacteria. An example of a disease transmitted by an arthropod- borne
bacterium is plague, which is caused by Yersinia pestis, spread by the rat flea.
b. Viruses. A number of viral diseases, known as arboviral diseases, are
transmitted by arthropods. Included are:
Dengue
The encephalitides
MD0152
5-4