Carlos Juan Finlay

Carlos Juan Finlay was a Cuban doctor and scientist who discovered that yellow fever is spread through mosquito bites, not casual contact or contaminated objects. His research helped identify the mosquito as the disease's transmitter, leading to improved prevention methods like mosquito control and public health policies. Finlay's work was crucial in eliminating yellow fever from many areas and paved the way for better understanding of vector-borne diseases. Despite initial skepticism, his findings were eventually recognized globally, making him a key figure in tropical medicine and disease control.