PERSONNEL FROM THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT VISIT NEW ORLEANS FOR VECTOR CONTROL TRAINING

#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2024 – The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board recently hosted a delegation from the Environmental Health Department, Ministry of Health & Human Services, Turks and Caicos Islands. The visit, which took place from March 10- 15, 2024, aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts in mosquito and rodent control operations.

The delegation, comprising Ms. Zatanya Handfield, Vector Control Coordinator; Ms. Clevesha Outten, Environmental Health Officer; and Mr. Narada Williams, Vector Control Officer, engaged in a comprehensive program organized by Dr. Claudia Riegel, Director for the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board. This program included field operational training, mosquito surveillance, trap deployment, field inspections, trap collection, mosquito identification, and vector control training in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as the University of Florida, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), and Gulf South Vector.

The City of New Orleans has a rich history of combatting arboviral diseases and urban pests making it an ideal destination for knowledge exchange in vector control. The City’s Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board, renowned for its effective strategies and expertise, showcased their robust program in integrated mosquito and rodent management strategies, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, expertise, and continuous improvement in vector control practices.

Reflecting on their experience in New Orleans, Ms. Handfield remarked “We are grateful for the warm welcome and invaluable learning experience extended to us by Dr. Claudia Riegel, Director for the City of New Orleans‘ Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board. Our visit provided a unique opportunity to gain insights into innovative mosquito and rodent control strategies implemented in a city with a rich history of facing similar challenges to our own.”

The Environmental Health Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Claudia Riegel Director for the City of New Orleans Mosquito Termite and Rodent Control Board and Dr. David Dyjack, esteemed Executive Director of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). Their invaluable contributions have been instrumental in fostering this collaborative endeavor. Dr. Dyjack’s steadfast dedication to advancing environmental health initiatives and cultivating partnerships has played a pivotal role in uniting experts from diverse regions, facilitating mutual learning, and fostering impactful collaboration.

Commenting on this initiative, Honourable Shaun D Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services said “The knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts during this visit to New Orleans have provided the Environmental Health Department with invaluable tools and approaches to enhance vector control operations in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We eagerly anticipate the Department implementing these newfound insights to fortify our endeavors in safeguarding public health and mitigating the threats posed by vector-borne diseases and urban pests.”