As a medical entomologist working closely with arthropods, particularly mosquitoes – Leigh-Anne Lawton, MS, is lucky that these pesky insects often overlook her as a potential meal whenever she’s outdoors, sparing her from their irritating bites.
“No, I’m not one of those people who they go after right away,” said Lawton, State Public Health Entomologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in Austin. “But I have a few friends who are magnets for mosquitoes. They are the ones who I like to go hiking with. I call them the sentinels. I’m free to walk behind them, although I will catch one every now and then.”
For her long-standing work in vector-borne disease prevention and control throughout the state, which includes mosquito surveillance and submitting sample testing for dengue, West Nile virus, and Zika, among others, Lawton was honored with the Friend of TEPHI Award during the 3rd annual Texas Public Health Summit 2024, “From Pasture to Patient: Preparing for Zoonotic Health Risks.” The event was hosted September 25 by the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI) in collaboration with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and DSHS, with participants attending both online and in-person at the Cooley Center in Houston.
“She routinely works on weekends and in harsh conditions…to trap and test insects for pathogens… Texans are lucky to have Leigh-Anne, an astute and dedicated medical entomologist, in our great state."
“Choosing Leigh-Anne for this award was easy because she is a top medical entomologist who is committed to helping Texans avoid zoonotic diseases,” TEPHI Deputy Director Janelle Rios, PhD, MPH, said. “She routinely works on weekends and in harsh conditions, such as immediately after a storm, to trap and test insects for pathogens. The number one reason she deserves this award, however, is the many hours she devotes to supporting local health departments via training or assisting with surveillance or control methods. Texans are lucky to have Leigh-Anne, an astute and dedicated medical entomologist, in our great state.”
Lawton said she was taken aback upon learning she was selected as this year’s Friend of TEPHI Award recipient. “I know there are a lot of great people out there doing great work (to improve the health of Texans), and I'm usually a background person,” she said. “So I didn't think I was on anybody's radar. But it’s great. Hopefully, it will shed light on entomology, and show how important entomology is to public health.”
Since joining DSHS in January 2021, Lawton has managed a rigorous and multifaceted set of responsibilities. She prepares and presents educational materials and technical guidance to public health departments on arthropods, covering their biology, surveillance, and control. In response to requests from cities or counties, she conducts mosquito surveillance and serves as a liaison between local entities and the DSHS Zoonosis Control Branch, providing support on enhancing or implementing vector management programs. Additionally, Lawton plays a key role in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) during emergencies involving arthropods that transmit disease-causing pathogens
"Ms. Lawton has been involved with surveillance and control of the myriad diseases spread by insects throughout Texas."
“As a semi-tropical region that is a nexus for international travel, Texas is a prime location for the introduction and outbreak of vector-borne diseases spread by arthropods, including dengue, malaria, West Nile virus, Zika, typhus, Lyme, Chagas, and many others,” Brendan Sullivan, DVM, MPH, DSHS Zoonosis Control Veterinarian, Public Health Region 6/5 South, said. “Ms. Lawton has been involved with surveillance and control of the myriad diseases spread by insects throughout Texas. She has trained and assisted local health departments in trapping and testing sandflies for leishmania in Collin County, horse flies for anthrax in the Panhandle, and mosquitoes for malaria in the Rio Grande Valley, amongst many other examples.”
As part of Lawton’s statewide vector control and prevention efforts, she emphasizes the importance of the “Fight the Bite” campaign, which educates communities on preventing mosquito invasions and protecting against bites. While on the subject, she offered a few practical tips to ward off those pesky mosquitoes, such as the Aedes aegypti, a species, she says, that has adapted to human environments and is a key transmitter of dengue and Zika.
“They love humans; they want to be inside with you. They will look for any hole to get inside your house, so if you have screens, use them; and don’t leave your shoes outside your door,” Lawton advises. “They are attracted to the smell of the bacteria from our feet, and will hang by your front door.”
Lawton, meanwhile, applauds TEPHI for highlighting vector-borne diseases at this year’s Texas Public Health Summit. It’s important, she believes, for Texas to be prepared for emerging zoonotic threats that could potentially arise in the near future. The World Health Organization has stated that about 60% of emerging infectious diseases reported globally are transmitted from animals to humans.
"Being prepared with surveillance and testing is essential."
“Keeping up with what is happening globally, especially neighboring areas, regarding population and disease is important,” she said. “Re-emergence of diseases like dengue or malaria is a possibility, so programs should be ready for possibilities. We just had locally acquired malaria and dengue cases last year. West Nile virus is endemic in Texas, and this is a heavy year for it. Being prepared with surveillance and testing is essential.”
She also stresses the significance of medical entomology as it relates to public health. “It's one of the really important pieces, especially when we're talking about vector-borne diseases, which could possibly be the next epidemic,” Lawton said. “Oropouche or other diseases may be on the horizon. Entomology can give us a leg up on prevention, and entomologists can lend a helping hand in all of this.”
A native of Canada, Lawton left her hometown of Kingston for Kingsville, Texas, at age 8, when her mother was hired to work as a nurse at a hospital there. The entomologist initially planned to pursue an accounting degree until she realized she prefers to work outdoors. “I wanted to help protect people from diseases and contribute to society,” she said.
Lawton has mainly worked domestically since entering the public health field in 2006, following a master’s degree in biology with an emphasis in medical entomology from Stephen F. Austin University, and a bachelor’s degree in entomology from Texas A&M University. However, her expertise in entomology has also taken her abroad. From 2010 to 2020, she relocated to Papua New Guinea, where she led a team of up to 25 local workers in vector surveillance and control across multiple sites. Additionally, she trained staff in the safe use of vector surveillance and control equipment, proper handling and mixing of pesticides, and arthropod identification.
“We were hired to help keep client residents safe from (vector-borne) diseases, and to train communities and staff on implementing and taking control of our surveillance and control programs,” she said.
While Lawton’s work continues to make a positive impact on Texas communities, there are some challenges, particularly securing funding for vector control programs. Another key issue is ensuring both urban and rural residents across the Lone Star State understand the importance of prevention in keeping mosquitos – and the disease they may carry – at bay.
To reinforce this, Lawton often returns to the basics of mosquito control: “Anytime you see standing water around your house inside tires, birdbaths, baby pools, toys, or dog bowls, make sure you dump or flush that water out every few days. Mosquitoes can thrive in these additional habitats. They need water to complete their life cycle. Otherwise, you might be creating the perfect larvae habitat.”
It’s up to all of us, Lawton stresses, to Fight the Bite and help keep Texas safe from mosquito-borne diseases.
For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, and how to prevent mosquito breeding and bites, visit https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases