205 - Facing the Challenge: A PRVCU Perspective

Abstract: Vector management programs face increasing pressure from shrinking government support, environmental change, and growing public health threats. In Puerto Rico, a state mosquito control program exists, but the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU), a fully grant-funded program established in 2016 through a CDC cooperative agreement, operates independently while providing direct support to state and municipal operations. Maintaining comprehensive surveillance and interventions under these conditions presents a unique challenge, requiring innovative approaches to ensure public health protection. To address this challenge, PRVCU has developed multi-sector strategies that strengthen operational capacity and resilience. Collaborations with universities engage students in surveillance, data collection, and community outreach, providing critical workforce support and hands-on training for future public health professionals. Partnerships with private industries supply additional resources, technical expertise, and innovative solutions, while coordination with municipalities and local communities ensures broad program reach and engagement. These combined efforts allow PRVCU to maintain high technical standards and deliver measurable public health outcomes despite operating without direct government funding. However, long-term sustainability depends on stable local funding. Legislative changes establishing dedicated public health funds or incentives for public-private partnerships are essential to reduce reliance on fluctuating grants. Beyond Puerto Rico, PRVCU’s grant-based model and specialized expertise offer a framework adaptable to other jurisdictions nationally and internationally, demonstrating a replicable approach to sustainable vector management. PRVCU’s experience illustrates that grant-funded programs can thrive through strategic planning, cross-sector collaboration, workforce development, and legislative advocacy, providing a model for effective, scalable, and resilient vector control in resource-constrained environments.