Vector control for public health in the Caribbean

ABSTRACT

Despite the successful elimination of malaria from the Caribbean islands (except Hispaniola) by 1958-61, vector- borne diseases (VBDs) continue to challenge the health and wellbeing of Caribbean people. In addition during the last few years, we have witnessed the emergence or re-emergence of certain VBDs, which have a lasting impact on our health and also on our economies given the tourism-dependent nature of the Caribbean. Virtually all Caribbean countries have been affected by one or more of these emergent diseases in the past year, be it dengue/dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), malaria, Chagas' disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, Venezuelan and Eastern equine encephalitis (VEE & EEE), the threat of yellow fever, or infection by other viruses (such as Mayaro) which may go undiagnosed. Dengue and malaria are of particular concern (AU)