Addressing the environmental determinants of health in vector surveillance and control strategies: promoting key interventions

Abstract

[Introduction]. Climate change and other environmental changes are among the main factors that have led to the emergence or reemergence of vector-borne diseases. These factors may increase the geographical distribution of these diseases and extend the transmission season, which influences the morbidity and mortality they cause. Infectious diseases have a significant impact on public health in the Region of the Americas. For example, in 2017 a total of 483,208 cases of dengue causing 253 deaths were reported to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). That same year, more than 180,000 cases of chikungunya were also reported, and there were 583,451 suspected and 223,477 confirmed cases of Zika between 1 January 2015 and 4 January 2018, with 20 confirmed deaths and 3,720 confirmed cases of congenital Zika syndrome. Given this impact, a number of integrated multisectoral approaches must be incorporated into vector surveillance and control strategies. These approaches should include initiatives that promote healthy environments, such as better and safer management of solid waste, water, and sewage to ensure the continuity and quality of service, and the proper management of chemical residues from vector control activities. This publication offers key interventions to promote vector surveillance and control activities that emphasize environmental health, using interprogrammatic and intersectoral approaches.