September 20, 2024 (Yap, FSM) – We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Yap State Public Health Pesticide Applicator Training, held from August 12th to 16th at Yap Hospital.
Led by an expert team of trainers—LT Jonathan R. Stawicki, MPH, US Navy Environmental Health Officer, Task Force Koa Moana 2024, Abena Yeboah, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class, Task Force Koa Moana 2024, and Dr. Limb Hapairai, Regional Medical Entomologist from the Pacific Island Health Officers’ Association (PIHOA)—this critical training aimed to enhance the public health capabilities of Yap State.
Participants from various key agencies, including the Yap State Environmental Protection Agency (YSEPA), Yap State Department of Health Services (DHS), Yap State Division of Agriculture and Forestry (DAF), and the Yap Area Health Education Center (AHEC), attended the five-day course. The training focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the Public Health Applicator’s Examination through a combination of coursework and practical, hands-on activities.
Following the US-EPA Category 8 guidelines, the training emphasized integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to control public health pests, particularly mosquitoes. Participants learned about mosquito biology, insecticide resistance, and the best practices for managing both local and invasive mosquito species. The program culminated in a challenge exam, which saw 16 trainees successfully earning their pesticide applicator licenses, officially endorsed by YSEPA.
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