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Vector borne Disease

Vector borne Disease

Vector borne Disease

108 - Integration of Structural Barriers within an IVM Framework: Evaluation of Window Screens Following the 2024-2025 Dengue Outbreak Response in Puerto Rico 

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
9:10 AM - 9:20 AM PDT
Location: B119
Abstract: In early 2024, Puerto Rico, an endemic US Territory, experienced another major dengue outbreak that prompted a public health emergency declaration. In response, the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU), in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDoH) and the CDC Dengue Branch, led the implementation of Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategies across the island, with a specific focus on high-risk public housing communities in San Juan. These communities were prioritized based on confirmed dengue cases, entomological risk indicators, and virological detection of Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in mosquito pools. IVM interventions included deployment of Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps (AGO traps) as surveillance and control, wide area larvicide spraying (WALS) using Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), source reduction, and targeted community education. A digital trap-tracking system and chain-of-custody protocol ensured data integrity from field collection through molecular testing until results reporting. Entomological analyses confirmed localized reductions in Aedes aegypti densities, with indices decreasing on 81.9% across intervention sites. In several impacted communities, no new dengue cases or positive mosquito pools were reported for over 20 weeks following interventions. Building on these outcomes, a new evaluation will assess the added value of structural barriers—specifically window screens—as complementary measures to Integrated Vector Management (IVM). This assessment, to be implemented in new public housing communities in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Resident Councils, and local micro-enterprises, will compare three approaches: IVM alone, screens alone, and a combined intervention. The central hypothesis is that the combination of IVM and screens will achieve greater reductions in indoor mosquito populations than intervention alone. This study highlights the importance of integrating community-driven and infrastructure-based strategies within IVM frameworks to strengthen sustainability, resilience, and preparedness for future arboviral outbreaks in urban vulnerable settings.