Monitoring Mosquitoes After Natural Disasters
Author Information
Author(s): Roger S. Nasci, Chester G. Moore
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Natural disasters may increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases due to increased mosquito populations.
Conclusion
Natural disasters can lead to increased mosquito populations, which may heighten the risk of arboviral diseases under certain conditions.
Supporting Evidence
- Natural disasters have rarely led to increased transmission of arboviruses to humans or domestic animals.
- Surveillance programs have detected arbovirus activity after disasters, indicating existing transmission cycles.
- Public health policies should include mosquito surveillance as part of disaster response plans.
Takeaway
When big storms or floods happen, more mosquitoes can appear, and that might make it easier for diseases to spread to people.
Methodology
The commentary discusses the need for mosquito surveillance following natural disasters and reviews past events to assess disease risk.
Limitations
Routine surveillance for arboviral diseases is often not conducted in hurricane- and flood-prone areas.
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