Book review
Report of the WHO consultation on integrated vector management (IVM) WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, 1-4 May 2007 WHO/CDS/NTD/VEM/2007.1
The consultation on integrated vector management (IVM) took place at the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1 to 4 May 2007. Its purpose was to bring together experts in IVM from country, regional and global levels to advance the development and promotion of the IVM approach, as set out in the Global strategic framework for integrated vector management,[1] by reviewing current status and developing a practical strategic plan for the next three years. The four key recommendations of the consultation were: (1) In order to fully embed IVM in all control programmes dealing with vector-borne diseases, concerted efforts should be made, through advocacy and social mobilization, to articulate the need for and benefits of IVM and to mobilize resources for implementation. (2) The current human resource and infrastructure base for IVM is inadequate to meet increasing demands. This must be addressed urgently, through capacitybuilding, and both needs-based training and institutional development, to ensure those trained receive continued mentoring and support, and can function in systems where their skills are most effectively applied. 182
(3) Action must be evidence-based, so it is essential to intensify applied research and monitoring and evaluation to assess the impact and performance of vector control, both to refine implementation of IVM and to provide data for advocacy. (4) Develop an institutional framework to promote, further develop, implement and scale up IVM, including national legislative frameworks. The main conclusion of the meeting was that now is the time to tap the preventive power of vector control, given the serious risks of increasing transmission of vector-borne diseases related to climate change, population movement and environmental degradation, and the major opportunities for financial support. The next steps will be to promote and implement the strategic plan, propose WHO appoint a panel of experts on IVM to guide its development, organize a follow-up meeting with wider representation of other sectors and disease control programmes and develop the IVM concept through the homepage of the VEM web site. Reference [1] World Health Organization. Global strategic framework for integrated vector management. Geneva, WHO, 2004. Document WHO/CDS/ CPE/PVC/2004.10. Dengue Bulletin – Volume 31, 2007