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Spec. Charles Bateman sorts the catch from the night prior. (Photo by 61st Medical Detachment public affairs)
Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq – Rising temperatures on Victory Base Camp are annoying, but it becomes more annoying when insect populations rise. The 61st Medical Detachment (PM) handles preventive medicine issues in Iraq. One preventive medicine task is to monitor the vector populations and initiate control measures.
The Anopheles mosquito, which can transmit malaria, concerns the 61st PM. “Another is sand flies, which can transmit leishmaniasis,” said Spec. Tamaryn Swickheimer, 61st PM. The 61st accomplishes this mission by setting out forty mosquito light traps at different sites throughout Victory Base Camp twice a week.
Kellogg Brown and Root vector control operate traps called ‘Mosquito Magnets’ placed throughout VBC. Traps burn propane to produce carbon dioxide, which attracts these blood sucking insects. They also run continuously throughout VBC and captured insects are collected weekly for identification by the 61st Medical Detachment.
Population data from the previous year suggests that mosquito levels on VBC will peak between the April and June, while sand fly population levels will peak between June and October. Traps are just beginning to hit the required thresholds for pesticide application and the numbers are increasing.
The 61st PM has received numerous complaints from soldiers and civilians about these blood sucking insects. People can protect themselves from mosquitoes and sand flies by using the DOD arthropod repellant system.
The 61st PM suggests three things for protection. First, uniforms should be worn with sleeves down and pant legs bloused into the boots. Second, uniforms and bed nets should be treated with permethrin. Lastly, the insect repellant DEET should be applied to all exposed skin, including hands, neck and face. The DEET should be applied more if a person sweats a lot.
The 61st PM also suggests that by picking up trash, eliminating stagnant water, cutting down excessive brush and removing old sandbags to help remove breeding habitats and significantly reduce the chance of contracting diseases, such as malaria and leishmaniasis.
The vector surveillance program is a large part of the preventive medicine mission during summer months. Working with KBR, the 61st PM will monitor and control mosquito and sand fly populations based on DOD approved methods.
ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
Spec. Tamaryn Swickheimer hangs the CDC light trap for the night. (Photo by 61st Medical Detachment public affairs)
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