Science on Tap lecture to focus on parasites


Friday, January 23, 2015
by:  Rene Abadie

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University's next Science on Tap seminar, scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 3, will focus on parasites.

The informal presentation – titled "People, Pets and Parasites" -- by Southeastern Professor Emeritus of Biology William Font will be held at 7 p.m. at Tope lá Catering, 113 East Thomas St., in Hammond. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation is free and open to all ages.

"Parasites play a major role in human disease throughout the world. The most deadly human parasites, such as the several species that cause malaria, kill more than 600,000 people every year," said Font.

He said even in the U.S., parasites are common and abundant, and include pinworms, head lice, itch mites and ticks to name a few.

"Parasites are so successful because they have evolved numerous methods of transmission, such as contaminated water that has been shown to have 'brain eating amebae' in municipal water supplies," he added. "Insects, ticks, mites and mosquitos can be vectors, injecting disease-causing organisms when they bite humans."

In his talk, Font will discuss the parasites that infect humans and our companion animals and will address methods of treatment and prevention of parasitic diseases.

The Science on Tap lecture series is sponsored by the Southeastern Department of Biological Sciences. For more information on future presentations, contact the Department of Biological Sciences at 985-549-3740.




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