Lesson plan created by:

Dr. Kristen Healy, Assistant Professor,

Department of Entomology, Louisiana State
University Agricultural Center

Andrew Garcia, IT Manager, Louisiana State

University Agricultural Center

Pathogen images purchased from Canstockphoto. All other images from Creative Commons
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To learn the importance of mosquitoes and the viruses and pathogens they transmit
• To understand the multiple components that contribute to the epidemiology of
mosquito-borne diseases
• To utilize the provided information to think about ways in which mosquito-
borne diseases can be controlled

GUIDING IDEAS
1. Students should understand the multiple components of mosquito-borne diseases that
are common in the United States. Prepare the students by watching one or both of the
following videos:
• “One Mosquito Bite Can Change a Life Forever”
https://www.mosquito.org/page/imone?&hhsearchterms=%22am+and+one%
22
• “Mosquito Control and Why It Is Important”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw4JvqSrbCc

2. From the videos, the students should be able to understand that mosquitoes are still
the number one most dangerous animal on the planet, and all it takes is just one
mosquito bite to change a life forever.

3. Before starting the Minecraft activities, discuss the importance of mosquitoes and
mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. Use the following questions to help
guide the discussion:
• Why are mosquitoes important?
• What mosquito-borne diseases can you think of?
• How important are mosquito-borne diseases in your own area?
• Do you know where you can find information on mosquitoes and mosquito-
borne diseases in your area?
• In what ways are mosquito-borne diseases reduced?
• How would you go about making sure that there wasn’t an increased risk of
mosquito-borne diseases (West Nile virus, EEE) in your area?
• How many of your students are aware of the fact that the only way for your
pets to get heartworm is through the bite of a mosquito?
• What are some reasons why Zika virus was such a concern?
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
1. DESCRIBE MATERIAL IN THE COLOR CHARTS
a. What is epidemiology? (Prepare by reading “Part 1: Epidemiology”)
b. Describe the concept of an epidemiological triangle/pyramid
c. What are the different parts of the pyramid
• Red Chart = mosquito vectors
• Blue Chart = Disease agents
• Yellow/Orange Chart = Hosts and reservoirs
• Green Chart = Environment
d. How do the pieces in the different charts fit together?
• Purple Chart = Components of each disease
e. How are each of the pieces important in mosquito-borne diseases?

2. DISCUSS WAYS IN WHICH DISEASES CAN BE CONTROLLED

a. In what ways can you target some of these components for controlling or preventing
the spread of disease?
• Prepare by reading “Part 2: Disease control”
• Use the charts to begin discussion
• Black Charts = Different Control Strategies
• Are there other strategies that were not in the charts?

3. IDENTIFY THE DISEASE ECOLOGY AT 6 SITES IN THE MINECRAFT WORLD

a. Have the students tour through the Minecraft world. At each site (6 total), there will
be a character that will help students teleport to different sites.
b. Have students tour all 6 different sites (stations)
c. Have the students fill out CHART 1 as they visit each site
• Which disease is represented, How do they know which disease?
• How might they control disease in this area?

4. DIVIDE STUDENTS INTO 6 GROUPS

a. Prior to opening Minecraft, have students fill out CHART 2, describing ways in which
they will control the disease in the Minecraft World.
b. Within the Minecraft world, have students do the following:
• Have the students create their own epidemiological pyramid
• Have students modify their Minecraft site location to control disease
• Take before and after screen shots of the sites
c. When complete, have students report their findings, and explain the benefits and
the potential negative impacts of any of the control strategies used.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
• Students should be able to discuss the components of their disease, and develop a
strategy to reduce risk to humans/animals.
• Students should fill out the part 1 chart, to show they understand the components of
each of the 6 mosquito-borne diseases
• Students should use the chart in part 2 as a starting point on how to plan out their
disease control strategy
• Students should present their findings in a report or presentation. Use the following
format as a guideline:
o Introduction: Have students/groups describe their mosquito-borne disease.
Why is it important? What are the different components (agent, vector, host,
environment). Have them include a screen shot of their epidemiological
pyramid created in Minecraft.
o Methods: Have them describe the control strategies they decided to
implement. Provide any interesting details on HOW these strategies were
conducted.
o Results: Have them show their screenshots of their site before and after they
implemented their changes.
o Discussion: Have them describe in what ways their modifications can help
reduce the risk of these mosquito-borne diseases. Have them also discuss
other ways to help further reduce risk. Have them describe the advantages and
disadvantages to each strategy.

SKILLS
• Creativity
• Communication

SUPPORTING FILES
• Lesson plan outline
• Part 1: Epidemiology write up
• Epidemiology color charts
• Part 2: Disease control write up
• Control color charts
• Student work sheets
• Minecraft World file
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and causes of disease, and the
application of this study to the control of disease. Scientists often describe a
disease’s components using an epidemiological
TRIANGLE. In mosquito-borne diseases, it is
more like a PYRAMID, because of the addition
of the insect (vector) in transmission.

The pyramid of the disease is made up of the

(1) agent, (2) host, (3) environment, and (4)
vector.
• In mosquito-borne diseases, agents
include West Nile virus, Zika virus,
Malaria parasites, heartworms, or other pathogens.
• The insect or arthropod that transmits an agent is called a vector. A vector,
such as a mosquito, transmits a pathogen from one host to another.
• The hosts, are those humans and/or animals that can become infected or
house the agent.
• Lastly, the environment is an important part of the disease cycle. For
example, some diseases are more abundant in urban environments, where as
some might be more abundant in cool rural climates.

In Minecraft, you will be asked to

construct your own pyramid for a
particular disease agent. Connect 4
different blocks together, and use signs
to describe each component of the
epidemiological pyramid. Pick blocks that
you feel best represent your different
components, such as a blood red block to
represent a mosquito.
 VECTORS
MOSQUITO Scientific Habitat preferences Bloodmeal hosts
name
U.S. Malaria Anopheles Prefers to lay eggs in larger Prefers large mammals,
mosquito quadrimaculatus more permanent bodies of such as humans and
water, such as swamps and deer.
small vegetated ponds. These
are most often found in rural
areas, and will readily come
inside homes to find blood.
Southern House Culex Lays eggs in polluted and Prefers to feed on birds,
mosquito quinquefasciatus human waters, such as septic but will readily bite
and sewer systems. Also lays humans and other
eggs in abandoned swimming animals when available.
pools. Prefers living close to Often feeds on people
humans. Readily comes inside when enters homes.
homes to feed.
Salt marsh Aedes sollicitans Lays eggs in wet areas that Readily bite humans and
mosquito become flooded in salty large mammals (deer,
marshes in coastal areas. horses). Will fly miles
Adults often fly long distances inland from salt marshes
inland, where they can find to find a source of blood.
cooler shady areas to rest.

Asian tiger Aedes albopictus Lays eggs in backyard Prefers to feed on

mosquito containers, such as buckets, humans and animals
trash cans, bird baths, water found in urban/suburban
barrels, tires, and other small habitats, such as dogs,
artificial containers that hold cats, raccoons, possums,
water for 7 days or more. Lives and humans.
close to people.
Floodwater Aedes vexans Lays eggs in areas that will Prefers to feed on
mosquito eventually become flooded. humans and other
Good examples of this include mammals
small lawn depressions and
flooded fields.

Woodland pool Aedes canadensis Lays eggs in pools of water that In the early spring, it is
mosquito hatch as snow melts in the common to find this
spring, collecting water in these mosquito feeding on
habitats. Later in the season, turtles. Later in the
can be found in small season, will feed on
collections of water in rural humans and larger
areas. mammals (deer)

*Vectors are insects (or other arthropods) that transmit pathogens from one host to another. Fleas and ticks are also
vectors.
 AGENTS
Pathogen Scientific Symptoms caused Importance
(Agent) name by infection
Malaria A protozoa, Intense periods of fever, Every 30 seconds a child in
parasite including chills, and sweating. These this world dies from Malaria.
Plasmodium vivax occur in consistent It was once abundant in the
and Plasmodium intervals. U.S., but was eradicated
falciparum through large scale mosquito
control efforts.

West Nile virus A virus in the While most people are Since it was first found in the
family Flaviviridae asymptomatic, others U.S. in 1999, there continues
might have flu-like to be human cases
symptoms. Severe cases throughout the U.S. annually.
can have neurological The virus is cycled through
complications, such as birds from bird biting
encephalitis. mosquitoes.
Eastern Equine A virus in the The most notable While there are very few
Encephalitis family symptom of this disease is human cases reported
virus Togaviridae Encephalitis (a swelling of annually, mortality rate is
the brain). very high. It is cycled
between birds and
mosquitoes.

Zika virus A virus in the While most cases are mild, Prior to 2016, there was very
family Flaviviridae the greatest concerns are little information on Zika
neurological deficits to virus. However, once it came
babies born from mothers over to the Western
with Zika virus infection. Hemisphere, we learned
An example is about the link between Zika
microcephaly. and microcephaly.
Jamestown A virus in the Most often results in flu- While it is less abundant than
Canyon virus family like symptoms. Similar to West Nile virus, there has
Bunyaviridae other mosquito viruses, it been an increase in cases in
can also result in recent years.
neurological
complications.

Canine A nematode When a dog becomes The only way for pets to get
Heartworm worm called infected, the works heartworm is through the
Dirofilaria immitis reproduce over time and bite of an infected mosquito.
eventually take up space in It can be prevented through
the heart. This results in monthly medicine.
difficulty breathing and
fatigue.

*NOTE: Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria. There are currently no antivirals for mosquito-borne viruses. There are
antimalarial drugs available. For both Malaria and heartworm, they are treatable (after getting sick). However, there
are also preventative medicines, which can be taken to prevent the disease before getting sick.
 BLOOD MEAL HOSTS AND RESERVOIRS
Host Why they are pathogens
important
Humans Humans can become ill from Malaria and Zika virus can cycle
mosquito-borne diseases. between humans and mosquitoes.
They can also serve as While West Nile virus, Eastern Equine
reservoirs for pathogens encephalitis virus, and Jamestown
causing Malaria, Zika, Dengue, canyon virus can all make humans sick,
Yellow fever, and humans are not reservoirs for these.
Elephantiasis.
Birds West Nile virus and Eastern Reservoirs for both West Nile virus and
Equine encephalitis are both Eastern Equine encephalitis virus
cycled between birds and
mosquitoes. They are the
primary reservoir for both
viruses.

Horses Are not important reservoirs. While they are not reservoirs for West
But often get sick and die Nile virus or Eastern Equine encephalitis
from infection from many virus, they can become very ill and die
mosquito-borne viruses. from the viruses. There are vaccines
available for horses to prevent this.

Turtle Turtles provide an early There is some evidence to suggest they

source of blood for many might hold viruses during the winter.
early season mosquitoes, such
as woodland pool mosquitoes.

Ruminants, such Are an important food source Serve as reservoirs for Jamestown
as cows, sheep, for many large mammal Canyon virus.
and deer feeding mosquito species

Dogs and Dogs are an important Heartworm is a very important

wolves reservoir for canine mosquito-borne disease to dogs.
heartworm. The worm cycles
between mosquitoes and wild
canines and dogs.

*A reservoir is a type of animal that carries a pathogen, and accumulates it at high enough levels that a vector can pick it
up and pass it along to a different host.
 ENVIRONMENT

Habitat Why is it important Which pathogens may be

important?

Swamp Produces a variety of Malaria, Eastern Equine Encephalitis

mosquitoes. Holds water for virus, or Jamestown Canyon virus
long periods of time

Saltmarsh Produces very large numbers of Produces some potential vectors of

mosquitoes that fly inland and Eastern Equine encephalitis virus
can be potential vectors of
viruses. Large numbers are
produced during heavy rainfall
events, or when monthly lunar
tides are at their highest.
Urban/Suburban In addition to having people in West Nile virus, zika virus, heartworm
close contact with each other,
many species of mosquitoes
prefer to lay eggs in backyard
habitats. These include bird
baths, buckets, trash cans, tires,
pools, and more.
Polluted waters This type of habitat is very House mosquitoes are the primary
attractive to northern and vectors of West Nile virus
southern house mosquitoes.

Vernal Pools This type of habitat occurs from Jamestown Canyon virus
snow melting in the spring and
filling small pools. This creates a
habitat for woodland pool
mosquitoes.

Fields Small depressions in fields can Heartworm

hold water after rains. These
mosquitoes are vicious biters.
These sites are also problematic
after heavy rain or storms, such
as hurricanes, producing large
numbers of biting mosquitoes.
 DISEASES IN THE U.S.
DISEASE AGENT VECTOR HOST ENVIRONMENT

Malaria is much more

MALARIA Plasmodium U.S. Malaria mosquito, Humans cycle the common in areas where it
falciparum Anopheles quadrimaculatus protozoa between is difficult to prevent
Protozoa mosquitoes. Many mosquitoes from entering
humans also die homes
from the disease
Northern and Southern The virus is West Nile virus is common
WEST NILE Flavivirus (type of House mosquitoes (Culex maintained in birds in suburban areas where
virus) in the pipiens and Culex (reservoirs). you have the mosquitoes
family quinquefasciatus) cycle it Humans can and birds in contact with
Flaviviridae between birds and can also become sick if each other
bite humans infected.
Alphavirus (type Primary vector is the black The virus is The most important
EASTERN EQUINE of virus) in the tailed mosquito (Culiseta maintained in birds. vector lives in swampy
ENCEPHALITIS family melanura), which cycles The disease gets its habitats. However, this
Togaviridae the virus between birds. name because mosquito only bites birds.
However, the saltmarsh horses (and The risk to humans occurs
mosquito is a potential humans) can when other mosquito
vector when both mosquito occasionally become species, such as salt marsh
and virus levels are high. infected and die. mosquitoes, are high in
number during high virus
activity
There are numerous Canines, including Heartworm occurs
CANINE Nematode worm, species of mosquitoes that dogs, coyotes, and throughout the U.S
HEARTWORM Dirofilaria are important vectors, wolves are High risk areas include
immitis including Aedes vexans¸ our important reservoirs where dogs live outside,
floodwater mosquito especially where there are
ample mosquitoes and
other infected canines.
Bunyavirus (type Some of the early season The virus in Both the mosquito vectors
JAMESTOWN of virus) in the woodland pool and snow maintained in and reservoirs occur in
CANYON family melt mosquitoes, such as ruminants, such as more rural areas.
Bunyaviridae Aedes canadensis, are deer and cow.
important vectors Humans can
become sick if
infected.
Flavivirus (type of The most important Humans are the Zika virus is more common
ZIKA virus) in the vectors are those that live primary host, as the in suburban and urban
family close to people in backyard virus is cycled areas where the
Flaviviridae containers. One potential between humans mosquitoes occur, and
concern are Asian tiger and mosquitoes. where there are more
mosquitoes, Aedes humans to pick up the
albopictus. virus from.
While part of epidemiology is about learning what causes disease, it also involves
targeting ways of controlling disease. One of the ways we can control disease and
prevent further spread, is by evaluating different parts of the epidemiogical
pyramid.

For example, if we want to eliminate the

spread of the same disease that killed over
1/3 of Napoleon’s army, we would target
control of body lice (the vector). While
they weren’t available in Napoleon’s time,
today we can also use antibiotics to target
the bacteria (the agent) that causes
Epidemic typhus (the disease). We can also
promote good hygiene in humans (the host)
to further reduce the spread. This is
important, because poor hygiene and living
in close contact (the environment) contributes to the spread of epidemic typhus.

Think about the following before moving onto the Charts describing different
control methodologies.
• In what ways can we control different AGENTS, such as bacteria, viruses,
worms, fungi, and protozoa? Are there medicines for each? Are there
vaccines available? Do we target humans or animals?
• In what ways can we control VECTORS? How do mosquito control programs
target mosquitoes in your area? Did you know that many provide educational
resources to schools to learn more?
• In what ways can we limit the disease in HOSTS?
• How does our ENVIRONMENT contribute to the spread of these diseases?
Are there ways we can modify our environment to control disease?

NOTE: THE INCLUDED CHARTS ARE NOT ALL INCLUSIVE. STUDENTS ARE FREE TO USE THEIR
CREATIVITY TO THINK OF ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF CONTROLLING THE DISEASE.
 CONTROL STRATEGIES (PAGE 1)

STRATEGY EXAMPLES IN HOW DOES IT CONTROL?

MINECRAFT
Biological Control Spawn various types of Fish, Add fish to sources of standing water to
(using natural Turtles, Bats, or other control immature mosquitoes (mosquito
predators) insectivorous animals within larvae). While Bats do not consume a
your habitat significant number of adult mosquitoes, they
can be used to help eat night flying insects in
general.

Removing Get rid of any containers Since mosquitoes lay eggs in water that is
sources of water holding (or that might hold) flooded or becomes flooded, removing the
standing water, such as source of water can help reduce mosquitoes
cauldrons, plant pots, bowls, from laying eggs in the area
and other small containers).
You can also remove water
using an empty bucket.
Filling in areas Use dirt and grass blocks to Since mosquitoes lay eggs in water that is
that collect water fill in smaller bodies of flooded or becomes flooded, removing the
water, such as depressions source of water can help reduce mosquitoes
in lawns and puddles. from laying eggs in the area

Repairing Add glass or glass panes to Many important species of mosquitoes like to
windows and create windows, or add come inside to take blood meals from
doors doors. Make sure there are humans. You should prevent them from
no open areas that would entering homes. This also protects sick
allow mosquitoes to enter a individuals from spreading the infection to
house other mosquitoes.

Insecticides to Use a dye in a cauldron full Immature mosquitoes will ingest this larvicide,
control mosquito of water to demonstrate preventing them from becoming mature adult
larvae that you have applied mosquitoes. Most mosquito larvicides only kill
(larvicides) larvicides. Also, you can mosquito larvae, and do not affect any other
utilize splash potions of insects or animals.
poison added into the
water.
Insecticides to Splash poison potion or In reality, insecticides are sprayed at very low
control mosquito splash harming potions levels (like spreading a table spoon of salt over
adults an entire acre). Some of the insecticides used
are actually less toxic to humans than table
salt. Fortunately, these very small amounts
will effectively kill adult mosquitoes when
there is high risk.
 CONTROL STRATEGIES (PAGE 2)
STRATEGY EXAMPLES IN HOW DOES IT CONTROL?
MINECRAFT
Bed nets Place banners around beds The bed nets help to protect the person in bed
to prevent mosquitoes from from sleeping. This not only helps prevent the
biting people while sleeping. person from getting bitten by an infected
These are often treated with mosquito, but also prevents a mosquito to
insecticides that kill pick up a pathogen from an infected human.
mosquitoes resting on the
net.
Education Place chalkboards and signs Education is very important. We need to
throughout the area remind people of the importance of mosquito-
explaining the risk and borne diseases and things they can do to
things people can do to reduce the risk (like vaccinating horses, or
reduce the spread of applying repellents, or preventing heartworm
mosquito-borne diseases. in dogs)

Vaccines Demonstrate that you have Luckily, we have vaccines available for horses
vaccinated your horse using to protect them from Eastern Equine
a special potion, or by encephalitis virus and West Nile virus. There
placing a nametag or are currently no vaccines available for
armour on horse humans.

Personal Select a character that You can reduce your risk of acquiring a
protection wears long sleeves and long mosquito-borne pathogen by preventing
pants. Do not go outside at mosquito bites. This also includes the use of
night when mosquitoes are EPA registered repellents.
most active.

Heartworm Indicate that you have Heatworm can be prevented by providing your
preventative provided preventative pet with monthly preventatives. These are
medicines medicines through feeding safe for your pets. When pets are not
(meats/bones), or by placing provided with these, many will become
a name tag over a pet. You infected with heartworm, get very sick, and
can also consider using a have to have long, painful treatments to
potion. remove adult worms.
Repair streams to If there is a river or stream Mosquitoes only like standing water.
make sure water in your habitat, clear out Immature mosquitoes cannot survive in
flows. anything blocking the flow running water, such as streams and rivers.
of water
 CONTROL STRATEGIES (PAGE 3)

STRATEGY EXAMPLES IN HOW DOES IT CONTROL?

MINECRAFT
Apply repellents Use potions or a bow and Repellents work by confusing mosquitoes, so
to self and arrow to apply invisibility they can no longer figure out how to feed.
animals potion to yourself and your While some mosquitoes may land on you, they
pets. This will make you will not feed because they are confused.
invisible to biting Therefore, these repellents help by making
mosquitoes. you appear invisible to mosquitoes.

Provide Perhaps you can build a By increasing access to these resources,

necessary pharmacy, vet clinic, or people can better protect themselves and
resources nearby hospital nearby their pets, through the use of vaccines,
preventative medicines, and other supplies

Clean up dirty Another option to dirty Since mosquito larvae feed on small organisms
pools pools, is making sure they and nutrients in water, cleaning up pools
are clean, do not have algae (removing algae) will eliminate the food
and debris inside. If the pool source, and mosquito larvae can no longer
looks green, you can try to develop
make sure it looks bright
blue.
Trap mosquitoes Can you configure your own Trapping mosquitoes is a way of physically
mosquito trapping device? removing mosquitoes without the use of
Perhaps a light trap? Or a insecticides. However, they only work in small
cup containing poison areas where the trap is used.
potion that an unknowing
mosquito lays its eggs in?

Protect your Build a barn for your Prevents mosquitoes from biting your animals,
horses and livestock, and make sure by limiting their access to a blood meal source.
livestock by that windows and doors are This is especially important at night when
keeping them closed mosquitoes are most active.
indoors

Modify the Dig a stream that goes from You can naturally get fish to mosquito areas by
saltmarsh, so fish the ocean to the water creating natural streams.
have access to holding areas on the marsh
wet areas
 CHART 1 (WHAT DISEASE IS REPRESENTED AT EACH OF THE 6 SITES?)

WHAT IS THE WHAT ARE SOME THINGS LIST ONE THING YOU
DISEASE? YOU DISCOVERED THAT DISCOVERED THAT YOU CAN
HELPED MAKE THAT CHANGE TO HELP REDUCE
CONCLUSION? THE RISK OF DISEASE

SITE 1

SITE 2

SITE 3

SITE 4

SITE 5

SITE 6
 CHART 2: DEVELOP YOUR CONTROL STRATEGY
(1) USE THIS OUTLINE TO PLAN OUT YOUR CONTROL STRATEGIES (Must have 5)
(2) DECIDE ON HOW AND WHERE TO PLACE YOUR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PYRAMID
(3) BE SURE TO TAKE BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS
(4) REPORT YOUR RESULTS USING THE FORMAT PROVIDED BY YOUR TEACHER

Target Control strategy Action performed Benefits and Negative Impacts

Example: Example: Example: Example:

AGENT = Provide antibiotics Create a pharmacy nearby to Benefit: kills the bacterial agent that causes
bacteria provide better access to medicine disease, negative impacts: potential
bacterial resistance with improper use, also
killing off of beneficial bacteria in gut