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The Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Disease Division (VBZDD) program is a county-wide effort to protect the public health from natural, emerging, or intentional disease outbreaks transmitted by insects and their hosts. The presence of insect- and rodent-borne diseases in New Mexico, increased urbanization, global travel, ecological changes, and animal/human population migration, necessitate the presence of an effective Bio-disease Advance Warning System. Such a system is necessary to provide advance warning of biodiseases prior to the onset of human/animal morbidity and mortality.
The VBZDD program consists of the mosquito-and rodent-borne disease programs. Staff routinely monitors mosquito breeding sites throughout the county and when mosquito larvae are detected, control measures are implemented. Mosquito larvae are controlled by source reduction, biological (mosquitofish) and chemical means. Adult surveillance and control is important to detect nuisance populations or disease-carrying mosquitoes. VBZDD is involved in a local, statewide, and regional surveillance network of mosquitoes and their diseases. These mosquitoes are collected, identified, and submitted by staff for testing. VBZDD works closely with the University of New Mexico (UNM), New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), the New Mexico Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct surveillance and test for several mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus, St. Louis and Western Equine encephalitis. All three diseases have been found in Bernalillo County with WNV first being detected in 2002. Electronic data exchange between the CDC, the NMDOH, and VBZDD has been established and will greatly enhance our efforts in detecting and controlling mosquitoes and their diseases.
The rodent-borne disease program includes the surveillance and control of diseases such as plague and tularemia. These diseases are caused by bacteria and are effectively controlled if detected early. Areas where plague and tularemia have occurred historically include the East Mountains, Western Foothills, and North Albuquerque Acres. Surveillance for these diseases occurs year round but especially in the spring/summer. Staff conducts live animal surveillance and dead animal retrieval. Blood, flea, and tissue samples are collected from these animals and submitted to CDC or SLD for analysis. If a sample is positive for a disease VBZDD staff conducts follow-up surveillance, flea control, and educational outreach. Thorough investigations are conducted if there is human/dog/cat involvement. VBZDD works closely with the CDC, UNM, SLD, and the NMDOH to track rodents and their diseases in Bernalillo County. If there is human/animal involvement VBZDD will conduct a thorough case investigation to find the source and reduce/prevent exposure to these diseases.