MCHD mentors Vector agencies through CDC-supported program 07.11.25
July 11, 2025
MCHD mentors Vector agencies through CDC-supported program
MOBILE, Ala. — On January 30, Vector Services at the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) was awarded a grant through the Vector Control Collaborative: A Vector Control and Surveillance Mentorship Program, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administered by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).
“This opportunity enabled MCHD’s Vector Control team to serve as a mentor to two developing vector control programs, offering critical guidance and training in mosquito surveillance and integrated vector management,” said Dr. Derrick Scott, who oversees MCHD’s Bureau of Environmental Health.
The mentorship period runs from February 3 through July 31. It pairs MCHD with two agencies: Henry County in Indiana, represented by Doug Mathis and Emma Cole; and Wichita Falls in Texas, represented by Samantha Blair and Aspen Caristo. Throughout the program, participants engaged in Zoom meetings, reviewed action plans, and conducted a site visit to MCHD’s Vector Control facility.
From June 23 to 26, mentees from both counties traveled to Mobile for an immersive site visit. The visit began with a program orientation and meet-and-greet, followed by a comprehensive tour of MCHD’s Vector Control operations. Over the next few days, the mentees participated in hands-on field training exercises that covered key areas, including routine mosquito surveillance, vector control techniques, the sentinel chicken program, aerial pesticide spraying, and pesticide resistance management. These activities were designed to deepen their understanding of the components of an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) system — an approach that MCHD has refined over the past 40 years to effectively manage mosquito populations in Mobile County.
To enrich the site visit experience, the team traveled to New Orleans on June 25 for a specialized training session at the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board, led by Dr. Claudia Riegel. There, they were welcomed by Janet McAllister and a team of experienced entomologists. McAllister, who has more than 30 years of expertise in pesticide resistance with the CDC and local agencies, led a 4-hour workshop focused on advanced resistance management strategies.
The Vector Control Collaborative is a peer-to-peer mentorship initiative that connects experienced vector control programs with developing agencies to build local capacity in surveillance and disease prevention. Its core goals include:
- Enhancing local agencies’ ability to monitor and respond to vector-borne diseases
- Fostering a national network of resource-sharing vector control organizations
- Identifying local technical assistance and resource needs
- Advancing best practices in surveillance and vector control
- Strengthening collaboration between local, state, and federal partners
This program closely aligns with MCHD Vector Control’s mission, which is to protect public health by reducing mosquito and rodent populations using data-driven, sustainable control strategies. Through this mentorship, MCHD not only shared decades of experience but also formed lasting professional relationships with peers from Henry County and Wichita Falls.
“The mentorship was a resounding success, leaving both mentee agencies better equipped to build effective vector control programs in their communities,” Dr. Scott said. “Moving forward, MCHD Vector Control remains committed to supporting these partners while continuing its mission to safeguard the residents of Mobile County through rigorous and innovative vector control efforts.”