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Vectors of risk, bodies that breathe

Stull, Kali (2016) Vectors of risk, bodies that breathe. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Fogging pyrethroid-based pesticides is a routine component of vector management strategies in Jakarta, Indonesia with the aim to kill the Aedes aegypti mosquito and reduce Dengue infections. As more mosquitoes become resistant to pesticide, fogging is an ineffective technology to reduce mosquito populations. This thesis tells a historical epidemiological multi-species narrative about Dengue in a megacity. Power and agency are noticed as dynamic forces that shape the illness experience and the choice to continue fogging. The thesis brings forth questions: “how do mosquitoes, viruses, and humans co-create one another?, how do power differentials shape public health intervention decisions?, how do nonhumans and technology act in ways that are disparate from humans intelligence and intention?, and how might affirming the inseparability of nature and culture resign humans to live together with mosquitoes in a way that reduces harmful viral mixing? Public Health statement: By discussing mosquitoes’, virus’, and residents’ response to fogging and tracking the ways pyrethroid risks are made invisible, the author suggests that fogging itself is a risk. As 60% of infectious diseases that affect humans spend part of their life course in a nonhuman animal, this considered approach toward the vector’s ability to make meaning and exercise agency inspires illuminating questions about zoonotic diseases.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Stull, KaliKMS296@pitt.eduKMS296
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Thesis AdvisorDocumet, Patriciapdocumet@pitt.edu
Committee MemberMargaret, Pottermapotter@pitt.edu
Committee MemberOlga, Kuchinskayaokuchins@pitt.edu
Date: 25 November 2016
Date Type: Submission
Defense Date: 9 December 2016
Approval Date: 24 February 2017
Submission Date: 2 December 2016
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 94
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: new materialism, Dengue, Jakarta, mosquito, Aedes aegypti, pesticide, intra-action, natureculture, risks, affect
Date Deposited: 24 Feb 2017 18:55
Last Modified: 25 Feb 2017 06:15
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/30372

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