IVM
Peter DeChant: Vector Control Visionary
The story of Peter DeChant, a veteran in the mosquito and vector control profession whose journey spans over four decades, is one of dedication, innovation, and relentless commitment to combating mosquito-borne diseases.
Peter’s journey began in 1978 when he became a field technician with Multnomah County Vector Control in Portland, Oregon. Little did he know then that this would mark the start of a lifelong crusade against one of the deadliest creatures on the planet.
By 1983, Peter’s skills and passion for his work led him to the role of Chief Sanitarian, where he led the program for 14 years. It was during this time that he honed his expertise and laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Urban Africa Faces Invasive Challenge
Malaria numbers are surging in the Horn of Africa, but not in rural settings.
Djibouti is a small country of around 900,000 inhabitants on the Horn of Africa that rests on the shores of Bab al-Mandab strait, just 20 miles from the coast of Yemen and southwest Asia. Ten years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) proudly proclaimed that Djibouti was entering the “pre-elimination phase” in its longstanding battle against malaria. Pre-elimination status is reached when a country’s number of confirmed malaria cases approaches zero.
Malaria’s Long Tail
The impacts of severe malaria cases on children are well documented, but the effects of mild infections on child development are less understood. The statistics …
Battle in the Upper Keys
FKMCD hoping to turn the tide in the first major outbreak of dengue since 2010 As the world remains embattled with COVID-19 and the unprecedented …
Beyond Catch Basins: Managing Culex Populations
Catch Basins and West Nile Virus Transmission In urban environments, road-side catch basins are common larval habitats of Culex species mosquitoes and important targets of …
Redefining the Problem that is Container Mosquitoes
Breakthroughs in Aedes control show potential for WNv programs, but more study is needed. WALS™ has gained notoriety in the recent past because of its …
Miami-Dade Takes on Zika with Integrated Vector Management
In late July, months after news of the Zika outbreak in South America started to make headlines in the U.S., the first locally acquired Zika …