Vector and pest control management

EMTs should ensure that patients, staff and caregivers are protected from disease vectors and pests by using appropriate equipment and methods adapted to the local context.

Effective vector and pest control is essential for the health of staff, patients and the general public. EMTs should establish routine measures that control pests and vectors (identification of agent, vector control, environmental hygiene, personal protection, surveillance).105 Vector control should be supported by appropriate, context-specific equipment and reflect the EMT operating environment on a personal, operational and environmental level. Appropriate and effective methods to exclude or reduce the number of vectors depend on the type of vector, reproductive methods, the habits of the vector, including the places and times they rest, feed, sting or bite, and the resistance of certain vector populations to chemicals used to eradicate them. A three-tier approach to the safety of staff and patients can be considered through personal, facility and environmental level measures.106 All vector control measures should be agreed with state regulations and local community.

Personal

1. Protect patients and caregivers against vectors by barrier methods such as installing insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
2. Protect staff with a multilayer strategy that includes some of the following vector and pest control measures:

• personal protective clothing (long clothes, shoes)107

• use of personal insect repellent

• insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs)108

• treatment of lice infestation

• use of malaria prophylaxis and vaccination (for example yellow fever).

Facility

Implementation of vector and pest control measures through a multilayer strategy, which includes elements such as insect screens (doors and windows), residual contact insecticide, adhesive and mechanical traps, safety feeders and spatial repellents.

Environment

Fences are required as basic environmental control methods.

• Site planning, weather patterns and local pest and disease patterns will influence which environmental controls are most appropriate. Examples include adequate drainage during the rainy season to reduce mosquito larvae, and adequate waste management areas to reduce flies near health facilities.
• Vector control methods should be selected and combined according to local settings. Prior to the deployment, verify the zoonotic and vector-borne diseases present in the territory, and existing control programmes.