15 Animals That Can Pose Serious Human Health Risks

Inside this gallery: 15 historical photographs, each with the year, the place, and the story behind the picture.

• Mosquitoes: disease vectors — the past. Mosquitoes can transmit malaria, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and other pathogens depending on region and species.
• Ticks: attached disease vectors — the past. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses, with risks varying geographically.
• Freshwater Snails: part of schistosomiasis transmission — the past. Certain freshwater snails host parasites involved in schistosomiasis transmission; the snail does not chase or bite people.
• Dogs: rabies prevention and bite safety — the past. Dogs are companions, not a universally dangerous category, yet unvaccinated dog bites drive human rabies transmission in many countries.

Tap any photo above to jump in, or view the full story below.