Walter Reed (Army physician)

Walter Reed was a pioneering American physician and army surgeon known for his groundbreaking work in understanding and controlling yellow fever. In the early 1900s, he led research that demonstrated the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, not miasma or direct contact. This discovery was crucial in developing strategies to prevent yellow fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses, saving countless lives. His work helped establish the fields of epidemiology and tropical medicine, and his leadership contributed significantly to public health and military medicine. Reed’s discoveries are considered foundational in preventing and controlling infectious diseases today.