Author: Manuel Lluberas

Internationally recognized entomologist with over thirty years of experience on the business architecture, capacity building, and community engagement related to mosquito population management, WASH, and other public health matters obtained in four continents. Skilled in directing and managing time-sensitive projects and preparing and presenting oral and written briefings in English or Spanish to senior country leadership. Expert in setting up and managing time-sensitive disaster preparedness and response projects to protect survivors and relief and reconstruction workers in the wake of emergencies and disasters.

Published over thirty, peer-reviewed technical articles on mosquito population management and emergency vector control, wrote a column for Malaria World, contributed to the publication of two WHO’s operational pamphlets, and presented numerous lectures in Spanish and English on these subjects.

Awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the American Mosquito Control Association for contributions to public health entomology. Finalist to the Rear Admiral Charles S. Stevenson Award for excellence in US Navy Preventive Medicine. Certified as remote pilot of small, Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS or drone). Spanish to English simultaneous interpreter.

Chagas Disease Parasite Can Survive in Dead Kissing Bugs, Study Finds

Dead kissing bugs could spell trouble for dogs in Texas. A study published in October in the Journal of Medical Entomology shows that Trypanosoma cruzi—the parasite that causes Chagas disease—can survive in dead kissing bugs (Triatominae) even within insecticide-treated dog kennels. This discovery suggests an unexpected infection route: dogs could contract Chagas by ingesting these deceased, parasite-laden bugs in… Continue reading Chagas Disease Parasite Can Survive in Dead Kissing Bugs, Study Finds

New antibodies could lead to next generation of interventions against malaria.

In recent years, new interventions have been developed against malaria, including vaccines that currently are being rolled out for young children in regions where the disease is prevalent.https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-researchers-discover-novel-class-anti-malaria-antibodies

Used Tires and Public Health

Used tires have evolved into a significant public health concern, because they offer mosquitoes a humid, secluded breeding ground. Researchers in Louisiana investigated how discarded tires intersect with socioeconomic factors such as population density, income, and urban heat islands to contribute to mosquito-borne disease. https://entomologytoday.org/2024/08/28/tire-piles-heat-population-density-drive-mosquito-abundance/

Something to think about

Despite the benefits of keeping bees, past studies have shown that honeybees, which are not native to the United States, can have negative effects on the environment. They compete with native bees, spread diseases and pollinate plants less efficiently. Now, new research from scientists at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) suggests honeybee pollination may also lead to… Continue reading Something to think about

Mosquitoes and possums may spread a flesh-eating disease in Australia

Some mosquitoes buzzing around parts of Australia could be ferrying dangerous cargo from possums to people: flesh-eating bacteria. Of 13 mosquitoes from that species that had recently fed on an animal, two had sucked blood from both a ringtail possum and a person. That’s a small number, but such mosquitoes are probably rare, given that… Continue reading Mosquitoes and possums may spread a flesh-eating disease in Australia

El Niño and Malaria in Ethiopia

Malaria–climate relationships in Ethiopia are complex, unravelling them requires good climate and malaria data (as well as data on potential confounders) and an understanding of the regional and local climate system. The development of climate informed early warning systems must, therefore, target a specific region and season when predictability is high and where the climate… Continue reading El Niño and Malaria in Ethiopia

Vector-borne diseases risk increasing in Europe

European scientists say more frequent heatwaves and flooding, and longer, warmer summers, have created more favorable conditions for the bugs. They are calling for better measures to control and protect against mosquitoes. The European CDC report suggests this year, the Aedes albopictus mosquito (known to carry dengue and chikungunya) “established” itself in 13 countries in… Continue reading Vector-borne diseases risk increasing in Europe

Malaria is not new to the United States

People tend to think of malaria as a tropical disease, says Christopher Vitek, a medical entomologist at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg. “But the fact of the matter is, historically we’ve had a fair amount of malaria transmission here in the U.S.” And the risk of transmission now is not zero.… Continue reading Malaria is not new to the United States

LE MOUSTIQUE TIGRE CAPABLE DE TRANSMETTRE LE VIRUS DU CHIKUNGUNYA À DES TEMPÉRATURES TEMPÉRÉES

Les émergences récentes de maladies à transmission vectorielle ont marqué un tournant en matière de santé publique, ces maladies affectant des territoires de plus en plus éloignés des zones endémiques. Cette situation tire son origine des changements environnementaux et de l’intensification des échanges commerciaux ou de voyageurs entre les continents. Le virus du chikungunya a été signalé… Continue reading LE MOUSTIQUE TIGRE CAPABLE DE TRANSMETTRE LE VIRUS DU CHIKUNGUNYA À DES TEMPÉRATURES TEMPÉRÉES

Dengue Outbreak in Peru

According to official reports, the death toll from the outbreak has risen to 248 as of June 16, while reported cases have surpassed 146,000. The situation caused the minister of health to step down. It is unfortunate that Dengue has returned to a region that had it under control for years. The full report is… Continue reading Dengue Outbreak in Peru