VECTOR AND NUISANCE PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE REPUBLICS OF THE EX-SOVIET UNION, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Abstract:
The rapid breakdown of the Soviet Union into many independent, mostly ethnic states, heralded a new historical era with tremendous political, social and economic anomalies. And while the newly formed entities are being hailed as a triumph for individual freedoms and political democracy, the social and economic costs to individuals and communities are yet to be quantified and addressed at least short term. This fallout should have been expected given the extent and scope of centralization of planning and resourcing of pest control. This sector are among those state functions which suffer most today in the independent republics, due to shortage of local know-how and means, though the environment and pollution attract special'attention. Environmental health as it relates to vector and nuisance pest control, does not seem to feature as a priority in newly proposed health projects. Yet across the geographic map of the ex-Soviet Union, resurgence of vector populations and epidemic incidence of diseases are both alarming and frequent. Foci of Bubonic Plague in Kazakhstan are attributed to increasing rat/flea populations. The Civil War in Tajikistan is certainly contributing to the levels of anopheline mosquitoes and resurgence of malaria. And at the doors of Scandinavia and Western Europe, rat-transmitted Leptospirosis is now epidemic in Latvia (Baltics) killing tens every year. Perhaps less deadly but still nuisance are the common encounters with mosquito bites and German cockroaches throughout the urban centres. In the past foreign travellers did not visit much to experience such dangers of disease or nuisance. but no doubt past authorities kept pest thresholds under manageable levels. Both stringent regulations and free availability of locally manufactured insecticides and rodenticides helped. Local authorities face immense and costly challenges in pressing with economic and social reforms to have time or resource to prioritize and tackle pest resurgence. Moreover those municipal or provincial pest control entities known as D-insecticiding, D-ratization and D-isinfection (DDD) are being cut from governmental financial resources and asked to become selfsufficient then privatize. Given the above, the future of vector disease and pest management will very much depend on: 1. Transformation of existing DDD's to viable business oriented pest control companies. 2. Recognition by local authorities of this sector and integration in health reforms and prioritization. 3. Development of local urban pest control research, institutions or degree courses. 4. Recognition and initial funding by donors and international agencies. 5. Investment by Western professional pest control ventures in this sector. Much work and investment are needed, however, the surrounding world cannot ignore the threat of disease resurgence in this part of the world.