RESEARCH

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is calling for closer links between pest professionals and public health bodies off the back of the UK Health Security Agency’s report on animal-associated infections (England) (December 2023).

BPCA has evaluated the impact of pest management on Lyme disease and leptospirosis in England during Q3 2023, emphasising the need for public health agencies to recognise and value the essential work of pest professionals.

Zoonotic diseases are transmitted from animals to humans usual through contact and can often be life-threatening. Pests such as rats, mice, birds and ticks carry zoonotic diseases in the UK.

Study results

Leptospirosis

Pest management is crucial in mitigating the presence of leptospirosis, as rodents are primary carriers of the Leptospira bacteria. Pest professionals therefore minimise human exposure to leptospirosis by managing contaminated and rodent infested environments.

Leptospirosis cases during Q3 2023 numbered 32 confirmed and 21 probable cases. Among the confirmed cases, thirteen individuals reported recent travel abroad, underscoring the potential for global transmission.

Furthermore, ten confirmed cases indicated potential exposures linked to water sources.

Notably, a comprehensive analysis revealed no discernible geographical pattern in relation to leptospirosis, emphasising the need for a broad-spectrum approach to preventive measures.

Lyme Disease 

Ticks transmit the Lyme disease-causing bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. These ticks typically live of pest populations, such as rats, mice and pigeons, which are the primary target species for pest professionals.

Pest professionals implement control measures to help reduce rodent populations, and subsequently tick populations, thereby lowering the risk of human exposure.

The third quarter of 2023 saw a substantial surge in confirmed Lyme disease cases, reaching 905 compared to 578 during the same period in 2022.

Acute cases constituted a significant portion, accounting for 77.3% of the total cases in Q3 2023.

Particularly noteworthy is the regional distribution of cases, with Yorkshire and Humber, and West Midlands reporting the same number of cases for Q1-4 in 2022 and Q1-3 in 2023.

In contrast, all other regions experienced more cases in the first three quarters of 2023, compared to the whole of 2022. The South West, South East, and London exhibited the highest acute cases in Q3 2023, indicative of geographical tick habitats.

This underscores the critical importance of targeted tick management strategies in these regions to reduce the overall prevalence of Lyme disease effectively.

Psittacosis

Psittacosis, caused by Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus, is primarily associated with birds, particularly parrots and other psittacine species. However, these bacteria can also infect a wide range of birds, including pigeons and doves.

Through managing avian pests, pest professionals are essential in eradicating psittacosis in human populations.

During the third quarter of 2023, a singular case of psittacosis was reported, a notable contrast to the absence of reported cases during the corresponding quarter in 2022.

The first quarter experienced a surge with the highest recorded spike, accounting for four cases.

Implications

The findings emphasise the pivotal role of pest professional in preventing diseases, underlining the need for recognition and appreciation from public health agencies.

Inadequate pest management leads to greater contact with pest species such as rats, mice, pigeons and ticks.

Increased support for pest management is crucial, especially given the concerning rising incidence of Lyme disease. The report underscores the urgent need for effective tick management, by way of rodent management in key regions. 

Our key recommendation is for more collaboration between pest professionals and environmental health agencies.

Joint efforts are essential for mitigating health risks associated with pests and raising awareness of the risk of inadequate pest management.  

The goal is to empower both the public and pest control professionals through guidance on identifying high-risk areas and adopting protective measures, integral to building a proactive culture of pest-related health risk awareness.

We encourage policymakers to leverage the report's data for evidence-based decision-making.

This includes guiding resource allocation and policy development to effectively curb the spread of diseases linked to pests.

The report suggests that a targeted approach to pest management efforts is essential, focusing resources on high-risk regions to strategically reduce the overall prevalence of zoonotic disease.

Such collaboration is deemed crucial for actively contributing to awareness campaigns and fortifying a collective stance in disease prevention.

Overall, the report emphasises that collaboration serves as the silver bullet in a comprehensive strategy to combat and mitigate the impact of pest-driven diseases.

Key recommendations

• Recognise and appreciate the vital role of pest professionals in disease prevention, securing increased support from public health agencies
• Urgently address the rise in Lyme disease with effective tick management in key regions, emphasising joint efforts to mitigate health risks
• Promote collaboration between pest professionals and environmental health agencies, specifically targeting waterborne diseases
• Support policies for educational campaigns targeting both the public and pest control professionals to foster a proactive culture of awareness
• Guide policymakers in leveraging report data for evidence-based decision-making, implementing a targeted approach to pest control in high-risk regions for strategic reduction of Lyme disease prevalence.

Conclusion

This focused report illuminates pest-driven trends in Lyme disease and leptospirosis during Q3 2023, showcasing pest professionals as key allies in shaping effective prevention and control strategies.

Recognising the nuances of tick and rodent behaviours, collaborative efforts can be directed towards creating a healthier and safer environment for the population of England.

BPCA urges public health agencies to value and incorporate the expertise of pest management professionals in their initiatives.

In summary, the policy implications revolve around recognising the importance of pest professionals in public health, developing targeted strategies for pest management, fostering collaboration between various agencies, and promoting education and awareness to mitigate the risks associated with pest-related diseases.