Education and employment of medical entomologists in Aedes aegypti control programmes

Most dengue/DHF endemic countries have facilities for the training of entomologists. However, experience has shown that many of the graduates of such courses remain in the area of research and relatively few are employed in Aedes aegypti vector-control programmes. Few university courses in medical entomology provide specific training in vector control including such subjects as the organization and administration of vector control programmes and vector-control methods; chemical, biological and environmental control; evaluation of control activities and the epidemiology of the vector-borne diseases. Governments and municipalities are often unaware of the complexities of an efficient control programme and the importance of employing well trained entomologists to plan and implement them. Inadequately organized and poorly supervised vector-control programmes are often the reason for failure to interrupt transmission of the disease. The type of training required and the necessity for providing adequate career structures for vector control personnel and adequate funding for the control programmes is discussed.