Synopsis
Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) has been interested in participating in the NACCHO Vector Control Collaborative (VCC) mentorship program since the program was introduced in 2019. With over 40 years of documented experience in vector control, we thought we could bring a wealth of knowledge to the program.
Challenge
Over the 40 years of vector control, MCHD VC has developed a vast array of techniques, equipment, and policies to help combat vector-borne diseases; however, along the way, we have experienced growth and attrition. The county population has grown to over 200,000 people, which increases the mosquito population. Due to attrition, we lost our ability to test for pesticide resistance. This was an excellent opportunity to share what we knew and to learn with the mentees the things that we had forgotten.
Solution
The VCC partnership with Henry County, IN, and Wichita Falls, TX, was to help the mentees with routine mosquito monitoring through standardized trapping and species identifications, improve treatment decisions using monitoring data, continue routine vector control activities (e.g., chemical, biological, source reduction, or environmental management) but more importantly, we needed a refresher in pesticide resistance training. We would travel to New Orleans to train with Ms. Janet McAllister, an entomologist with the New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control District.
Results
The VCC partnership with Henry County, IN, and Wichita Falls, TX, led to significant improvements in local vector control capacity. Through hands-on mentorship, mentees standardized mosquito trapping and species identification techniques, improving the quality and consistency of monitoring data. This data supported more informed and effective treatment decisions. Participants also gained practical experience in integrated vector management (IVM), including chemical, biological, environmental, and source reduction methods. This success reassures the mentor and mentees and other interested parties of the program’s effectiveness.
A key component was a pesticide resistance refresher training with Ms. Janet McAllister in New Orleans. This enhanced participants’ understanding of resistance mechanisms and equipped them with up-to-date testing methods such as CDC bottle bioassays and WHO tube tests. Programs also learned how to adjust insecticide use based on resistance profiles.
The partnership strengthened collaboration between agencies, promoting knowledge sharing and adoption of standardized best practices. By connecting less experienced programs with established centers, such as the New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control District, the initiative fostered sustainable growth in technical expertise.
Ultimately, the program increased preparedness for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks and improved public health outcomes by enabling more targeted and effective mosquito control. These efforts support long-term capacity building and enhanced community protection across regions.
Mentorship played a central role in closing capacity gaps. Less-resourced programs benefited significantly from peer-to-peer learning, gaining technical and operational skills from more experienced agencies.
Lessons Learned
The VCC partnership with Henry County, IN, and Wichita Falls, TX, highlighted several key lessons. Standardizing mosquito trapping and species identification improved data consistency, allowing for more effective comparisons across regions. Routine monitoring emerged as a critical foundation for evidence-based vector control. These insights will leave the audience feeling enlightened and informed about the project’s key learnings.
Using monitoring data to guide treatment decisions enabled programs to prioritize interventions based on species, abundance, and disease risk. A significant takeaway was the ongoing need for training, especially in pesticide resistance. The refresher course in New Orleans, led by entomologist Janet McAllister, provided invaluable hands-on experience in resistance testing and reinforced the importance of regularly updating field knowledge and techniques.
Mentorship played a central role in closing capacity gaps. Less-resourced programs benefited significantly from peer-to-peer learning, gaining technical and operational skills from more experienced agencies. Inter-jurisdictional collaboration across states fostered shared learning and consistency in practices, strengthening networks for emergency response.
Pesticide resistance was reinforced as an ongoing challenge requiring routine testing and insecticide rotation to maintain efficacy. Ultimately, field-based, expert-led training proved more effective than classroom-based learning, as it enhanced skill retention and facilitated the practical application of skills in real-world settings. Overall, the program strengthened local vector control operations and improved readiness for responding to mosquito-borne diseases.
Is this story an example of a program, initiative, or activity that can be replicated? Absolutely. The success of the VCC partnership with Henry County, IN, and Wichita Falls, TX, demonstrates the potential for similar initiatives to achieve similar success. This reiteration will leave the target audience feeling inspired and motivated to implement similar initiatives.
Contact Information
Derrick Scott
[email protected]
251-690-8892
Mobile County Health Department, Alabama
