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Central Board of Health Antigua and Barbuda (CBH): Over the past two weeks, staff of the CBH Vector Control Laboratory, Public Health Inspectors, and members of the Epidemiology Team from the Ministry of Health participated in an Entomology Training focused on Insecticidal Resistance Testing.

The primary objective of the training was to determine whether mosquitoes in Antigua have developed resistance to the insecticides and biological toxins currently used by CBH.

During the sessions, both Culex and Aedes larvae were collected in the field, reared to adulthood in the laboratory, and tested against the products in use.

The results were encouraging—the mosquitoes showed no signs of resistance, meaning the insecticides remain effective. This finding is significant, as it confirms that the department can continue its mosquito control program with confidence, helping to reduce mosquito populations and limit the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.

An important outcome of the training was capacity building. Staff are now better equipped with the knowledge and skills to independently conduct resistance testing in the future, strengthening local surveillance and control efforts.

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Alex Wright for leading the training and to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for facilitating this valuable initiative.