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Innovative Vector Management Strategies in Puerto Rico Surveillance & Control Symposium II

Innovative Vector Management Strategies in Puerto Rico Surveillance & Control Symposium II

75 - Puerto Rico Vector Management Association

Tuesday, March 4, 2025
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM AST
Location: 209
Abstract: The Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU) is a program from the Puerto Rico Sciences, Technology and Research Trust, a non-profit organization.  In 2020, the PRVCU envisioned creating a network of representatives from each 78 Puerto Rico's municipalities working with vector control.  Despite being vulnerable to arboviral diseases for decades, many municipalities don't have the knowledge, financial resources such as personnel, budget, or the tools necessary for effective vector control. In October 2020, the Puerto Rico Vector Management Association (PRVMA) was founded to provide the training and services these workers needed. Initial efforts consisted of identifying vector control workers and making phone calls to all the municipalities to determine which department was responsible for mosquito management. The main goal was to reunite these representatives and offer vector control training, orientation, and support to improve vector control techniques.  Nowadays, PRVMA has more than 400 members, including PRVCU staff, municipal employees, and others. Membership is free, people can join through our website. Communication with the members is ongoing, and invitations to training and activities are shared. Also, the PRVMA hosts an annual convention. An important training offered to the municipalities was the “Calibration Tour,” where free equipment calibration is provided. Furthermore, the AMVPR collaborates with the new Tropical Island Training and Evaluation Center (TITEC), currently offering the training called "De cara a la epidemia de Dengue” (translation: the face of the dengue epidemic), which equips municipalities with essential strategies for mitigating the current dengue epidemic. Some of the topics covered are source reduction, patio inspections, and correct use, storage, and disposal of chemical control products. The PRVMA actively promotes partnerships among the municipalities, PRVCU and stakeholders; developing healthy communities capable of reducing mosquito borne diseases.