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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Preparations and activities necessary for aerial mosquito control after hurricanes

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Boze BGV, Markowski DM, Bennett D, Williams MG
2020
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 36 (2s): 90-97

Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) has a long history of aiding mosquito control efforts necessary for recovery after natural disasters like hurricanes and major floods. As waters associated with these events begin to recede, both nuisance and vector mosquito species surge in abundance and consequently play an increased role in public health. When these situations arise, state and county agencies implement emergency response plans and many rely on Federal Emergency Management Agency or private contractors for assistance in reducing mosquito populations that can alter arbovirus transmission cycles, cause intolerable stress, hamper reconstruction efforts, and disrupt normal community functions. Vector Disease Control International owns the largest fleet of fixed-wing aircraft dedicated specifically to mosquito control and has worked every major storm event since Hurricane Bonnie in 1998. This article describes the logistics and operations required for implementing VDCI's emergency management plan, including the relocation of equipment, adult mosquito surveillance, delivery of pesticides, assessment of efficacy, and filing of low-level waivers and congested-area plans with the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Resource Description

    Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
    • Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster: Flood, Hurricane
    United States
    Infectious Disease
    • Infectious Disease: Vectorborne Disease
      • Vectorborne Disease: Mosquito-borne Disease
        • Mosquito-borne Disease: General Mosquito-borne Disease
        Mosquito-borne Disease
      Vectorborne Disease
    Review Article
    Adaptation
    • Adaptation: Intervention
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