ABSTRACT
Public health preparedness includes plans already in place for new disease emergence (covid-19 is a good example), effects of climate change on human health, disaster vector control, and collaborations with other governmental and private entities should these events occur. Public health entomologists (PHEs) are important in a properly functioning health agency, especially during or after vector-borne disease outbreaks and disasters. In order to mitigate vector-borne disease outbreaks after a disaster, the PHE must conduct surveillance to: (1) determine the disease(s), (2) the vector(s) and their population numbers, and (3) infection rates within those vectors. Then, the PHE can provide science-based guidance and recommendations to incident commanders and administrators concerning vector control, educational efforts, repellent distribution, and other vector-related issues. This chapter explores the role of a PHE in health agency responses to disease outbreaks and disasters.
