Abstract: Dengue and other vector borne diseases continue to be important public health threats throughout Puerto Rico. In spite of this ever-present threat, Puerto Rico’s municipal vector management personnel are poorly equipped and trained. In response to this problem, in the year 2020, the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU) founded the Puerto Rico Vector Management Association (PRVMA) to improve municipal workers’ expertise and professional competence. The mission of the association is to promote Integrated Vector Management Program throughout Puerto Rico. To achieve this mission, the objectives are to: (1) develop capable personnel in vector control; (2) promote new research and collaborations; (3) provide strategies to the municipalities to educate communities on vector control, among others. To date, the PRVMA has more than 175 members from different sectors (municipal, private, academic, among others) representing 47 local municipalities and six additional countries (United States, Perú, Ecuador, Chile, Spain, Colombia, and Mexico). In 2022, the PRVMA hosted its second Vector Control Annual Convention and had more than 400 attendees during the three-day event. Attendees received information about Ae. aegypti, vector control and surveillance approaches, and demonstrations on new technologies, industry exhibit booths, and a spray equipment rodeo for equipment calibration. This year, the PRVMA counted with the participation as speakers and collaborators people from México, Colombia, and Dominican Republic. The PRMVA is modeled after other state-wide vector management associations in the US and aspires to help implement a modern vector management program throughout Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Region. In two years, the PRVMA will be highlighted as it proudly hosts the 2025 AMCA Annual Meeting in beautiful San Juan!
