Category: News

Close-up image of petri dish with worker using tweezers to count mosquito larva. Words "West Nile Virus" and "Dengue Fever" are superimposed on the image.

New Video Highlights Why Mosquito Control Matters

For World Mosquito Day, Gulf South VECTOR highlights the importance of mosquito control with a new educational video. Honoring Sir Ronald Ross’ discovery of malaria transmission, the initiative continues building regional capacity to prevent vector-borne diseases and protect communities across the Gulf Coast.

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A guest speaker from Cook's Pest Control talks to students in classroom at FAMU.

Industry–University Partnership Grows as Cook’s Pest Control Engages FAMU Students

Cook’s Pest Control strengthened its longstanding partnership with Florida A&M University through two campus visits in 2025, connecting students with internships, career pathways, and professional development opportunities. These engagements highlight growing industry–university collaboration and expanded experiential learning options for FAMU’s entomology and agribusiness students.

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Two scientists are working in a lab preparing samples for testing.

Closure of the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit

The closure of the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit ends decades of critical mosquito taxonomy and systematics research. With staff gone and online resources removed, only the Smithsonian-held collection remains—leaving a major gap in national vector research capacity and the tools that supported global public health

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Person positioning a mosquito surveillance trap in a weeded area behind a building.

Why Student Internships in Vector Control Matter

Internships in vector control give students essential, hands-on public health experience—from fieldwork and surveillance to community engagement. Alexandros Pavlakis’ journey from intern to entomologist shows how these opportunities build practical skills, deepen scientific understanding, and prepare future professionals to protect communities from vector-borne diseases.

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Gulf South VECTOR logo

“Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness” Webinar set for September 11

Mosquito control programs vary widely across the country, creating gaps in awareness, coordination, and effectiveness. The CDC-funded Gulf South VECTOR initiative aims to strengthen regional capacity and standardize training, evaluation, and partnerships in vector-borne disease prevention. This webinar highlights the challenges posed by inconsistent programs

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