Disaster Response

Natural disasters cannot be predicted, but can be planned for. Any weather event that increases rainfall  amounts has the potential to increase mosquito populations and subsequently increase the risk of disease.   NCMVCA offers the following suggestions to increase the effectiveness of the county mosquito control program.

Before Disaster Strikes

The NCMVCA recommends that public education campaigns be an integral and ongoing part of  control programs. To that end, we offer the following tools to assist your education efforts:

		Public Health Pest Management Website: Includes information on vectors of public concern, health issues as well as special alert information on West Nile Virus.
		Brochures:  Available online from the PHPM Main Website, these brochures provide information on a wide range of issues of public concern, before, during and after a disaster.
		Public Education about Aedes albopictus and Disaster Response:  Article by Jeff Brown, PHPM staff.
		Mosquito Control in Response to a Disaster, Article by Dr. Bruce Harrison, PHPM staff.
		Presentations from 2008 AMCA Meeting
		The Coming Storm - Rosemarie Kelley, GA   Kansas

Recovery Measures

Post-disaster mosquito control is an integral  part of recovery measures. As soon as possible, citizens should be alerted to take all possible measures to reduce mosquito habitat in their area.  As much as possible, standing water should be drained and care taken to empty all containers that have accumulated water.

The risk of disease can be reduced by taking a few steps to  reduce exposure to mosquitoes .

		As much as possible, advise citizens to avoid outside activities, especially around dawn and dusk, since these are periods of peak mosquito activity.
		When outside, wear long sleeves and pants.Use approved insect repellents.  For more information on safe repellents please see:
		EPA:  Using Insect Repellents Safely
		Repair and replace screens.

State and Federal Aid

Once official declaration of a disaster has been made,  federal and state aid may be available for local mosquito control efforts.  Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) assistance will need to be requested in order to qualify for Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) funds for vector control.  CDC personnel will work closely with local and state mosquito control programs to assess the situation and recommend appropriate control measures.