Podcast 1011: Creepy Crawlies
About this episode
This episode discusses the most lethal animals to humans and the health implications of various insects.
Contributor: Meghan Hurley, MD Educational Pearls: What animal is the most lethal to humans? Depending on how we define lethal, and animal, this answer is actually not straight forward. Globally and in the U.S. the most lethal animal is humans, accounting for ~436,000 to ~20,000 deaths (homicides) per year on average respectively. In the United States the most lethal animal is of the Hymenoptera order (bees, wasps, and hornets). It accounts for approximately ~60 deaths per year from anaphylaxis. Globally the number is harder to track, but is estimated between 250–3,800 deaths globally annually. Globally the most lethal animal is venomous snakes, accounting for between 60,000-150,000 per year (whereas in the United States this number is closer to ~5). Mosquitos, as a vector however for the pathogens they transmit, out rank all as the most lethal globally (excluding humans). What are the key take-aways for each insect discussed in this episode? Mosquitos: In the United States, of lesser concern. Can potentially transmit West Nile Virus in the United States. Otherwise, treatment for general mosquito bites is topical antihistamines and over the counter steroid creams. Hymenoptera…
People in this episode
Guest: Meghan Hurley, MD
Topics covered
- lethal animals
- anaphylaxis
- mosquitos
- Hymenoptera
- venomous snakes
Keywords
- lethal animals
- mosquitos
- Hymenoptera
- anaphylaxis
- venomous snakes
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Hymenoptera, West Nile Virus
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- Podcast 1010: First Pass Intubation Success
- On the Streets- Zero to Rodeo
- Carepoint Journal Club- Neurology
- Podcast 1009: Prevention for Recurrent UTI
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