A two-week workshop titled ‘Building Resilient Communities: Integrating Public Health Strategies for Vector Control, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Disease Prevention in Response to Climate Change’ recently concluded in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, organized by the Central Board of Health (CBH) and sponsored by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Direct Relief Programme, aimed to enhance public health resilience against vector-borne diseases exacerbated by climate change. Held at the Harrison Centre in Tomlinson, the workshop trained 115 participants, including Public Health Inspectors and Environmental Health aides. Due to the high number of attendees, the program was divided into four segments, with two sessions specifically dedicated to mosquito control, which attracted the largest audience. Facilitated by former Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael, the training emphasized vector control strategies, including educational, physical, biological, chemical, and environmental measures. Key topics included the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), alternative fogging techniques, and the impact of climatic conditions on vector control. Deputy Chief Health Inspector Daryl Spencer highlighted the workshop’s goal of strengthening capacity in vector control and providing formal training for new staff. Michael provided in-depth insights into the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for dengue fever, discussing its characteristics, replication, transmission, and symptoms. Dengue fever, prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounts for over 92% of global cases, with symptoms including high fever, headache, joint pain, and nausea. The workshop underscored the importance of community responsibility in public health, emphasizing that government efforts alone are insufficient to combat vector-borne diseases. Participants were encouraged to adopt proactive measures, such as eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and maintaining proper sanitation, to mitigate the spread of diseases.
Major Workshop Wraps Up, Teaching Teams How to Prevent Dengue and Other Diseases
