Public Health Significance of Urban Pests

Public Health Significance of Urban Pests
Author: Xavier Bonnefoy
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 293
Release: 2008
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9289071885

The second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century witnessed important changes in ecology, climate and human behaviour that favoured the development of urban pests. Most alarmingly, urban planners now face the dramatic expansion of urban sprawl, in which city suburbs are growing into the natural habitats of ticks, rodents and other pests. Also, many city managers now erroneously assume that pest-borne diseases are relics of the past. All these changes make timely a new analysis of the direct and indirect effects of present-day urban pests on health. Such an analysis should lead to the development of strategies to manage them and reduce the risk of exposure. To this end, WHO invited international experts in various fields - pests, pest-related diseases and pest management - to provide evidence on which to base policies. These experts identified the public health risk posed by various pests and appropriate measures to prevent and control them. This book presents their conclusions and formulates policy options for all levels of decision-making to manage pests and pest-related diseases in the future. [Ed.]

Public Health Entomology

Public Health Entomology
Author: Jerome Goddard
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2012-09-12
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1439848815

In the struggle against vector-borne diseases, it is critical that we bridge the gap between vector control workers on the ground (practitioners) and public health planners and administrators. Limited guidance is available from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, but reference books are scarce. Public Health Entomology comprehensively examines vector-borne disease prevention, surveillance, and control from a governmental and public health perspective with worldwide application. Divided into two sections, the book begins with a historical account of the early beginnings of pest control and public health. Next, it outlines the concepts, design, and implementation of a sound public health entomology program. The second section provides an overview of some of the most common public health pests that are found globally. Copious photos and line drawings accentuate the text, along with textboxes and sidebars. Author Jerome Goddard designed and implemented the vector control program along the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. His ability to communicate his knowledge and experience to public health professionals and the general public make this book an essential resource for preventing disease from these vector-borne threats.