(1) any insect, rodent, nematode, fungus, weed, or (2) any other form of terrestrial or aquatic plant or animal life or virus, bacteria, or other micro-organism (except viruses, bacteria, or other micro-organism on or in living man or other living animals) which the Administrator declares to be a pest under section 25(c)(1).
Pursuant to the authorization in the second part of this definition, EPA has broadly declared that the term pest includes all members of each of the categories of organisms identified in FIFRA section 2(t) in circumstances where they are deleterious to man or the environment, except for the organisms specifically excluded by the definition (See 40 CFR 152.5).
II. THE LISTS
EPA has determined that the pests identified in the Appendix are pests of significant public health importance as that term is used in FIFRA section 28(d). Although these lists are derived in large part from review of the pesticide/pest combinations for which efficacy (product performance) data are generally required to be submitted and reviewed prior to registration; in no way should this be interpreted to mean that EPA has or would base any regulatory action solely on these lists. EPA is publishing these lists separate from any statutory or regulatory conclusions which may be associated with public health pesticides. Additionally, these lists do not account for unanticipated nomenclature changes and/or novel pests. A brief description of the pests and their potential impact on the public’s health each is provided below:
Arthropods. The listed arthropods may cause asthma or trigger allergies, contaminate food, irritate skin, cause direct injury, or carry agents causing diseases such as Lyme disease, epidemic typhus, trench fever, epidemic relapsing fever, malaria, encephalitis (St. Louis, Eastern, Western, West Nile and LaCrosse), yellow fever, dengue fever and many others.
Vertebrates. The listed organisms have the potential for direct human injury and can act as disease reservoirs for rabies and other diseases. The rats and mice include those that spread rodent-borne diseases and contaminate food for human consumption.
Microorganisms and acellular particles. This category includes listed bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, virusoids, and prions. The microorganisms and acellular particles listed in this category cause diseases such as COVID-19, cholera, meningitis, Legionnaire’s Disease and many others.
As with the original 2002 lists (PR Notice 2002-1)[1], these lists identify the pests that EPA, HHS and USDA currently consider to be of significant public health importance. As deemed necessary, the Agency will update the lists of pests of significant public health importance. Also, EPA notes that the listings in the “Public Health Importance/Possible Clinical Significance” column are not exhaustive and can vary in their presence and severity (up to and including death) based on a variety of situation specific factors.
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