NEHA Vector Control and Pest Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which rodent species is a primary reservoir and source of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the western United States?
- Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
- Roof rat (Rattus rattus)
- Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) (Correct answer)
- House mouse (Mus musculus)
Correct answer: Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the primary reservoir host of Sin Nombre virus, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the western United States.
Question 2: In environmental health inspections, what practice is most effective for preventing rodent entry into structures?
- Setting snap traps inside buildings
- Exclusion — sealing all gaps and openings ≥ 1/4 inch in the structure's exterior (Correct answer)
- Applying rodenticide bait stations inside
- Using ultrasonic repellent devices
Correct answer: Exclusion — sealing all gaps and openings ≥ 1/4 inch in the structure's exterior
Exclusion is the most permanent and effective rodent control strategy, involving the physical sealing of all entry points ≥ 1/4 inch since mice can enter through very small gaps.
Question 3: What is the significance of Aedes aegypti in public health?
- It is the primary vector of Lyme disease
- It is the primary vector of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever (Correct answer)
- It transmits West Nile virus only
- It is a non-disease-transmitting nuisance mosquito
Correct answer: It is the primary vector of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever
Aedes aegypti is a highly competent vector responsible for transmitting dengue, Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever, making it one of the most dangerous mosquitoes to public health.
Question 4: Which life stage of mosquitoes is targeted by larvicides such as Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis)?
- Adult mosquitoes in flight
- Eggs on the surface of water
- Larvae in aquatic habitats (Correct answer)
- Pupae emerging from water
Correct answer: Larvae in aquatic habitats
Larvicides like Bti are applied to standing water to kill mosquito larvae before they develop into adult disease-transmitting mosquitoes.
Question 5: What is the primary concern with cockroach infestations from an environmental health perspective?
- They damage structural wood in buildings
- They are associated with asthma, allergies, and mechanical transmission of pathogens (Correct answer)
- They transmit malaria to humans
- They cause direct bites requiring medical treatment
Correct answer: They are associated with asthma, allergies, and mechanical transmission of pathogens
Cockroach allergens are a leading trigger of asthma and allergic reactions, particularly in children, and cockroaches can mechanically transmit pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli by contaminating food and surfaces.
Question 6: Under the EPA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), what is required before a pesticide can be legally sold or distributed in the United States?
- State-level approval only
- EPA registration following safety and efficacy review (Correct answer)
- Manufacturer self-certification
- Approval by the FDA
Correct answer: EPA registration following safety and efficacy review
FIFRA requires that all pesticides undergo EPA registration, which involves a comprehensive review of the pesticide's safety, environmental fate, and efficacy data before it can be legally sold.
NEHA Vector Control and Pest Management 2
Which rodent species is a primary reservoir and source of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the western United States?