Mosquito Control Efforts Strengthened as Ministry of Health Confirms Insecticides Still Effective

Antigua and Barbuda’s fight against mosquito-borne diseases has received a boost following the completion of specialized entomology training for health officials.

Over the past two weeks, staff of the CBH Vector Control Laboratory, Public Health Inspectors, and members of the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Team took part in a program focused on testing mosquitoes for resistance to insecticides and biological toxins.

During the exercise, Culex and Aedes larvae were collected in the field, reared to adulthood in the laboratory, and exposed to the products currently in use. The findings were encouraging: mosquitoes in Antigua showed no signs of resistance, confirming that the insecticides remain effective in controlling local populations.

Health officials say this result is significant, as it means the country’s mosquito control program can continue with confidence. The effort plays a key role in reducing the spread of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.

Beyond the testing, the initiative also focused on building local expertise. Staff members are now trained and equipped to conduct resistance testing independently, enhancing Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term surveillance and response capacity.

The Ministry of Health expressed gratitude to Dr. Alex Wright, who led the training, and to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for supporting the initiative.