Press Release
Why emerging public health problems from pests need to be addressed
25 June 2008
Public health significance of urban pests, the latest book from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, alerts governments to prepare for and address pest-related diseases. The book’s UK presentation (Europe-wide launch will take place on July 2) will take place at the inaugural meeting of the Associate Parliamentary Group on Environmental Health at the House of Commons on Wednesday 25 June at 2pm.
Commenting on the publication, Graham Jukes, CIEH Chief Executive, said:
“In the UK control of our most significant pests is loosening when it should be tightening. Far from being relics of the past, the incidence of pest-borne diseases is increasing, and there are risks that pests could become even more important disease vectors if not properly controlled.”
Europe, the book says, could improve monitoring mosquitoes. In England and Wales:
- Some councils have introduced charges for previously free pest control services
- Across authorities, there is no general agreement as to what is a public health pest, so in some councils house mice are seen as public health pests and in other areas they are not. The book makes clear that both rats and mice carry human pathogens and are both public health pests
- Much of the sewerage network is the responsibility of privatised companies, which have no clear legal obligation to control rats in their sewers
Public health significance of urban pests says that the rapid spread of West Nile fever in the US and Lyme disease in both Europe and North America were warning examples. The message is clear; governments are called to assess the potential threat of urban pests to public and environmental health and act on their findings.
Graham Jukes, CIEH Chief Executive added:
‘Modern living conditions, urban sprawl and emerging changes in climate make the spread of pests and pest-borne diseases increasingly likely. The effects of these conditions and changes need to be properly monitored and understood.
“Climate change is particularly relevant because it is expected to alter not only the natural environment as a result of flooding or drought but also the urban environment as a result of changes in land use.
“Because pest management involves health, housing, work and the environment, it is often difficult to decide which government department or agency should be responsible for it.
“A single government department should have the ultimate responsibility for supervising monitoring programmes and implementing pest management measures; this should be accompanied by the political will to implement programmes and measures.
Policy options highlighted in the book and supported by the CIEH include:
- Introducing planning and construction regulations which consider the risks of pest infestation and disease transmission
- Clearly identified authorities in charge of vector-related information at both national and local levels
- An international agreement on expanded notification requirements for pest-borne diseases
- A suitably educated and trained public health force
- Research into pests, pest-borne diseases and their control
The book flags as important issues the capacity of Governments and their agencies to deal with emerging pest problems, and the political will to make the necessary changes and improvements.
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