Arthropod-borne diseases and history

Abstract

Bloodsucking insects and other arthropods have had great influence on the history of mankind by causing epidemics that have been reported in many books, e.g., the Bible, and anecdotal narratives. They have contributed to defeating armies, like those of Napoleon during the invasions of Palestine, Haiti, and Russia, usually causing more morbidity and mortality than by battles. Insects and other arthropods have also been utilized as weapons, since the Paleolithic until now, and could possibly be dangerous as terrorist devices. The knowledge of the influence of arthropod-borne diseases in history and the history of their discoveries and epidemiology is very useful for the understanding of disease transmission and prevention. Considering social and climatic changes, the distribution in the past can provide information on their possible occurrence nowadays.