RE: Arbovirus control of vectors

<x-flowed>Reasons for establishing a mosquito/vector management program (and,
possibly, factors to include in risk analysis).

1. Human Health. Reducing risk of arboviral diseases.

2. Human Welfare. Reducing resident's anxiety.

3. Domestic Animal Health. Protecting economic investment
(particularly with equines, zoo specimens, etc.).

4. Wildlife Health. Although corvids are the most sensitive to WNV,
morbidity and mortality extends to a wide range of native birds
(including some protected species). Despite the debate about the
non-viral (pesticidal) causes of wild bird deaths, few to none appear
related to the use of mosquito control pesticides.

5. Secondary mosquito and arbovial benefits. An abatement program
directed toward SLE or WNV vectors also tends to impact transmission
of other pathogens by these species and typically reduces the
population of several other mosquito species found in the same
habitats as those treated. Surveillance component of abatement
program also provides a pre-adaptation for detecting invasive and
native vector species and arboviruses (EEE, WEE, LaCrosse, dog
heartworm, Oc. japonicus, Ae. albopictus

6. Tourism impact. Arbovirus transmission in an area can adversely
impact tourism as seen in FLA with SLEV.

7. Control and supervision of pesticide usage and efficacy.
Detection of operational problems as well as insecticide resistance.
Proper use of pesticides from selection and formulation to
application. Also, treatment coupled with surveillance provides "a
treat when necessary" methodology as compared to a "treatment
calendar".

8. Informed public and an agency/group to turn to for guidance and
complaints - ability to justify measures taken, produce pamphlets for
homeowner control of mosquitoes, respond to ineffective "gimmicks"
and urban legends (sonic repellers, mosquito plants, etc.), and
counter media-generated hysteria. Responsive to mosquito complaints.

9. Pro-active and environmentally sound larval management options
become available (source reduction, water management, predators,
biologicals) with a management program.
 From a pure cost analysis, adulticiding is usually the cheapest
method for mosquito control, although it is only a short-term
solution, it's sensitive to timing of application, can impact
beneficials and non-target organisms, repeated use of same chemicals
can foster insecticide resistance, if used as the only means of
management, adulticiding tends to use humans or domestic animals as
sentinels or it attempts to interrupt the transmission cycle after it
has reached epidemic proportions, and it is not recommended as the
sole means of management by the EPA, USDA, or vector-related groups
(AMCA, Trop. Med., etc.). Of course, adulticiding can be a component
of a mosquito abatement program, but not the sole means of management.

10. Coordination of area-wide mosquito management activities is
possible. Mosquito problems are based on host population, human
population and demographics, pathogen prevalence in vectors and
hosts, mosquito abundance and behavior, etc. Vector abatement
programs adapt their programs for those specific conditions.

11. Long-term commitment to vector-borne problems (providing a
financial basis for vector management) versus short-term emergency
treatments (requiring non-budgeted funds).

Rich Lampman

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Received on Wed Jan 16 12:44:04 2002