Cruz, Helen | Lelis, Mark Public and Community Health

Politico, Jullia | Villa, Patrick Ms. Karen Jeanet R. Navarro

BSP 3-1 1st Sem AY 2017-2018

Insect and Rodent Control

I. Insect control

Vectors are living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from
animals to humans. Many of these vectors are bloodsucking insects, which ingest disease-
producing microorganisms during a blood meal from an infected host (human or animal) and
later inject it into a new host during their subsequent blood meal.

Mosquitoes are the best known disease vector. Some of the most common disease via the
mosquito bite transmission are the following:

A. Zika Virus

Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae.
aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can
cause certain birth defects.
There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.

B. Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly
infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are
typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Although
malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from malaria can usually be prevented.
Because the malaria parasite is found in red blood cells of an infected person, malaria
can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or the shared use of
needles or syringes contaminated with blood. Malaria may also be transmitted from a
mother to her unborn infant before or during delivery (congenital malaria).
C. Dengue Fever
The principal symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, severe headache, severe pain
behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding (e.g., nose
or gums bleed, easy bruising). Generally, younger children and those with their first
dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults.
Dengue (pronounced den gee) is a disease caused by any one of four closely related
dengue viruses (DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, or DENV 4). The viruses are transmitted to
humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is estimated that there are over 100
million cases of dengue worldwide each year.
D. Chikungunya

Chikungunya virus is transmitted to people through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become

infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes
 can then spread the virus to other people through bites. The most common symptoms of
chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain.
Chikungunya virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes
albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus.

Here are a few simple and practical tips to keep mosquitoes at home:
Turn over empty pails and buckets, so that they do not collect excess water. If the
container that contains water cannot be emptied, remember to cover it well when not in
use.
It is advised to not have any stagnant water around as it acts as breeding ground for the
mosquitoes.
Apply mosquito repellents on all exposed areas, during the day as well as at night on a
regular basis to prevent dengue.
If someone at home is ill with dengue, try to not let the mosquitoes bite them or others in
the house.
If you use a cooler remember to empty out and clean the water tray regularly, even when
not in use.
Always cover your trash can or dustbin when not in use.
Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all
the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a
mosquito free environment.

According to (DOH,2016) The 4S means: Search & destroy mosquito breeding places, use
Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and Say
yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak.

Most of the aforementioned diseases have a one-all cure. Despite that though, preventive
measures should always be taken to ensure that you dont have to deal with any of these diseases
at all. Mosquito control takes a level of cleanliness and some maintenance of your living
environment to ensure that mosquitoes wont grow or fester.

For one, you should take advantage of the availability of vaccines whenever you can.
Secondly, you should optimize your environment for cleanliness. Never leave stagnant
water for long periods of time out in the open, and this goes double for dirty water.
Thirdly, you should install and use preventive equipment such as screens on your doors
and windows to minimize the chance of any mosquitoes coming to invade your home. You
could also periodically spray your home with chemical repellents.
Lastly, dont forget to take care of your trash/ Always cover your bins and bag all your
trash, especially organic materials as these are the most prone to attracting insects.

II. Rodent control

Mice are carriers of bacteria, diseases, parasites and viruses. Rats and mice spread over 35
diseases. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents,
through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by
rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on
an infected rodent. Some of the many diseases rodents carry include:
 1. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacterium leptospira, which is present
in rat urine. Leptospira is able to infect people that wade in floodwaters
contaminated by rat urine.
Initial leptospirosis symptoms are similar to the flu including fever, severe
headache, red eyes and muscle pain. Calf muscle pain is also reported in certain
cases.
Severe leptospirosis cases may harm the liver, kidneys or even the brain. In these
cases, symptoms may include jaundice, dark-colored urine, light stool, low urine
output, and severe headache. Without prompt medical treatment, leptospirosis
can kill.

2. Rat bite fever

Rat bite fever manifests three days to three months following skin contact or a
bite or scratch from either wild or pet rodents such as rats, mice, and gerbils or
by ingesting contaminated food or drinks. Symptoms include chills, fever,
vomiting, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Two to four days after onset, a
rash appears on the hands and feet, and joints may become red, swollen. and
painful. Without treatment, the patient may suffer long-term or even permanent
damage.

The primary strategy for preventing human exposure to rodent diseases is effective rodent
control in and around the home. This is achieved by eliminating any food sources, sealing even
the smallest entries into homes, and successfully trapping rodents in and around the home.
To sweep your home for rodents, check for nests in the kitchen beneath the stove
and refrigerator or in storage areas and drawers.
Wash all areas that have come in contact with the rodents with hot bleach water.
Patch up any holes on the outside of the home as well as visible holes (even small
ones) inside the home, especially around electrical plates, plumbing, and other
wiring.

Avoid poisoning methods. Mice and rats will eventually become resistant to it, and pets and
children are in danger of coming into contact with the poison. Instead, patch access areas,
remove food sources, and set sticky traps or live traps. Use protective clothing and gloves
when removing carcasses, and disinfect the area immediately.
Chemical-free rodent control
Rodenticides are an efficient means of rodent control, but many people are
reluctant to use poisonous chemicals around the home, especially in the
presence of children and pets. Alternative methods include:
1. Rat and mouse bait - rodent traps usually require the use of food bait
to attract the rodents. They have poor eyesight but a highly developed
sense of taste and smell to locate food.
2. Spring/ snap traps - Traps that are designed to kill rodents with a spring
release need to be used with some skill to position correctly and avoid
affecting other wildlife, pets and children.
 3. Scents that repel rodents - rodents can find some smells repellent,
such as ammonia or moth balls, and folklore claims various plant scents
repel them, but none are effective because, just like other repellents, the
rodents quickly become used to them
Rat control products that have a slow kill mechanism are better in the long-term. When rats and
mice consume a slow kill product, they dont die right away at the site near the bait. This prevents
what is known as bait shyness which is the tendency of rats to avoid bait that they suspect as
harmful. These rats and mice are able to travel far from the bait, and die days later when the
product takes effect. This fools other rodents into thinking that the bait is safe to eat, and they will
keep on eating it.

The current trend of a warmer and wetter climate will impact on rodents and their interaction
with humans. Data suggests that temperature is the major factor influencing the reproductive
potential of rodents and that this reproductive potential is increased during the warmer months
or during rainy seasons, as described by Meehan in 1984, in his book, Rats and Mice. The
transmission of pathogens to humans is also influenced by climatic factors. Changes in the
climate may also result in changes in human lifestyles, such as an increase in outdoor activities.
This in turn affects rodent populations more where discarded food is available. The increased
availability of alternative food sources may impact the effectiveness of treatments, such as
rodenticide bait acceptance, the type of bait and baiting techniques used.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Rodents. Retrieved September 9, 2017
from https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/index.html

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. (2008). The impact of climate change on pest
populations and public health. Retrieved September 8, 2017 from
http://www.cieh.org/uploadedFiles/Core/Policy/Publications_and_information_services/Policy
_publications/Publications/The_impact_of_climate_change_on_pest_populations_and_public
_health_NOV_08.pdf

Helen. (2010). Danger Mouse: Health Risks Carried by Rodents. Retrieved September 9, 2017
from https://www.smartlivingnetwork.com/living-healthy/b/danger-mouse-health-risks-carried-
by-rodents/

NCIP (2015). Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Retrieved on

http://npic.orst.edu/pest/mosquito/diseases.html

Rentokil. (n.d.). Rodents. Retrieved September 8, 2017, from

https://www.rentokil.com/rodents/chemical-free-rodent-control/

WHO (2016). Vector-borne diseases. Retrieved on

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs387/en/

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2016). Centers for disease control and prevention.
Retrieved on https://www.cdc.gov