Topic: Controlling Biting-Insect Populations
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Eric Steeby
School: Grand Rapids City High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Pakistan position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Today vector-borne diseases account for nearly 20% of all infectious diseases resulting in over one million deaths every year.While mosquitos may be the most common disease vector we must not forget the others such as ticks flies sandflies fleas and other bugs we must not turn our back on this issue when nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malaria and 2.5 billion people in over 100 countries are at risk of contracting dengue alone.While others such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis still affect hundreds of millions of people.the vast majority of these diseases are preventable through informed protective measures
Pakistan is pleased by the responses that the international community has taken including providing training on clinical management, providing technical support and guidance to countries, helping countries improve their reporting systems.Such efforts have been spearheaded by the WHO, however, these measures while producing promising result remain insufficient, and Pakistan believes the WHO should remain the leading origination as we move forward, in our effort to save lives
Pakistan is deeply troubled by the growing number of reports that indicate mosquito resistance to pyrethroids, which are the backbone of vector control as they are currently the only class of insecticides recommended for ITNs or LLINs thankfully so far the resistance has rarely been associated with decreased efficacy of LLINs.however that is likely to change if we don't look at alternative options
The most straightforward solution would be the elimination of the responsible insect population, but then we risk natural disasters occurring do to changes in the environment.Pakistan acknowledges that reports have indicated the risk from killing off the insects to be minimal but as a country that has suffered from natural disasters as a result of climate change, without more research into the issue it is a risk Pakistan can not take.
That does not mean we should not take action while more research is being conducted while research is ongoing we should focus our energy on new countermeasures such as new pesticides and also on increased education.
