February 26, 2024 (San Juan, Puerto Rico) – This week, seven vector control staff from the Pacific and Caribbean regions have gathered for the Tropical Island Training and Evaluation (TITEC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Representatives from FSM states (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae), Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are taking part in this intensive, week-long training to enhance their skills in mosquito surveillance and control.
This training is conducted in partnership with the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit and is supported by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TITEC is designed to equip public health professionals with advanced techniques in vector management, a critical component in combating mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. On the ground to provide expert guidance are Dr. Limb Hapairai, PIHOA Regional Medical Entomologist, and Cynthia King, PIHOA TITEC Coordinator. Their expertise and support ensure that trainees gain practical, hands-on experience that will strengthen their ability to protect public health in their home communities.
Through workshops, field exercises, and collaborative learning, participants are deepening their understanding of mosquito biology, surveillance strategies, and integrated control measures. By building these essential skills, TITEC contributes to the long-term goal of reducing vector-borne diseases in tropical regions. As climate change and global travel continue to impact mosquito populations and disease transmission, programs like TITEC are more important than ever. Strengthening the capacity of regional vector control teams ensures that communities across the Pacific and Caribbean are better prepared to prevent and manage outbreaks.
Stay tuned for updates from the training and insights from our dedicated public health professionals on the front lines of vector control.