Armed Forces Pest Management Board

Get ready, Brazil. The 'good mosquitoes' are coming Scientists are driving around in white Chevys, releasing thousands of specially engineered mosquitoes from tubes — part of a pioneering project to reduce the spread of dengue, a terrible disease.

Brazil is tackling a massive dengue outbreak fueled by urban growth. The country is using innovative vector control, including releasing sterile male mosquitoes and those with Wolbachia bacteria to curb reproduction, alongside vaccination programs.

www.npr.org/sections/goa...

Thousands of mosquitoes are being dropped by drone over islands in Hawaii. Here’s why | CNN Native Hawaiian honeycreeper birds are being wiped out by avian malaria. Scientists think they can battle the problem by releasing more mosquitoes.

Drones are releasing sterile mosquitoes in Hawaii to combat avian malaria, a new tool in the fight against vector-borne diseases. This innovative approach to mosquito control could have future applications for protecting our forces.

edition.cnn.com/science/hawa...

USDA launches a 5-pronged plan to combat New World Screwworm. Key initiatives include an $8.5M sterile fly dispersal facility in TX, bolstering the biosecurity barrier with Mexico, and enhancing SIT production.

www.usda.gov/about-usda/n...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Online training on Vector Surveillance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Vector control is the single most effective intervention for achieving a reduction in malaria transmission in most malaria endemic countries of the world. Such vector control must be underpinned by a ...

Public health & vector control pros: Don't miss APMEN's free online training on Vector Surveillance! Gain key insights from Aug 5-7, 2025.

Secure your spot now: tiny.cc/APMEN-VST

Attention Military Entomologists: Monitor the emerging co-infection threat of Lyme & Babesiosis from Ixodes scapularis ticks in the mid-Atlantic. This presents a growing risk to force readiness & complicates diagnostics. Leverage the MilTICK program for surveillance.

www.army.mil/article/2869...

China’s Mosquito-Sized Drone: Science Fiction Becomes Reality China's mosquito-sized drone mimics real insects for stealth surveillance. A leap in micro-robotics, it raises major concerns.

This new drone mimics insects for stealth surveillance. Equipped with cameras & sensors, it poses a new covert intel threat. This development raises significant force protection concerns, necessitating novel counter-surveillance strategies for the U.S. military.

dronelife.com/2025/07/09/c...

Tick risks vary by region. Here's where diseases have spread and how to stay safe Tick bites are are on the rise this and they can carry some nasty illnesses. Which are most common depends where you live. Here's what to know to protect yourself.

Season's severe for ticks! Military entomologists, know regional risks: Lyme (NE/Mid-Atl), Ehrlichiosis/Rickettsiosis (SE), Alpha-gal. Use permethrin-treated gear, check daily, remove ticks fast. Early detection is vital for troop health. Stay vigilant!

www.npr.org/2025/06/23/n...

Wisconsin health officials warn of rare Powassan virus as tick season intensifies Nationally, Powassan virus cases are most common in the northeast and Great Lakes regions, including northern Wisconsin.

Rare, severe Powassan virus, transmitted by black-legged ticks, is intensifying in WI. Mil-ento must prioritize surveillance, tick bite prevention, & rapid response for force health protection.

fox11online.com/news/state/w...

New research shows the BG-Pro trap significantly improves #MosquitoSurveillance for #LaCrosseVirus vectors! #ForceHealth #VectorControl

jamca.kglmeridian.com/view/journal...

On June 21st, military entomologists from AFPMB, Navy Medicine, and WRAIR engaged ~250 visitors at Bugapalooza! They highlighted insects' importance and the vital role of military entomology.

Army entomologist Maj. Paul A. Lenhart placed third in the Excellence in Competition match at the 64th Annual Interservice Rifle Championship at Quantico, earning the U.S. Army Silver EIC Rifle badge. He competed against 49 participants from all services.

www.army.mil/article/2865...

WHO Oropouche virus risk assessment details two lineages

WHO risk assessment on Oropouche virus: Two distinct lineages are spreading in the Americas, primarily vectored by Culicoides midges, with Culex mosquitoes as potential secondary vectors. Be aware of this expanding threat in endemic regions.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/oropouche-vi...

Tick-borne diseases are on the rise beyond Lyme disease. Experts warn of threats like anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis, which can affect military personnel. Vigilance in tick prevention & early detection is key. #MilitaryEntomology #TickBorneDiseases

thehill.com/homenews/nex...

AMCA Culicoides RFP Form Please click the link to complete this form.

The AMCA Research Fund invites new pre-proposals for research on predictive modeling, exposure assessment, and mitigation strategies to evaluate the risks of various mosquito control approaches and provide guidance on minimizing those risks.

form.jotform.com/251006502166...

Environmental risk and Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) in the Mid-Atlantic United States Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), commonly referred to as the tick bite red meat allergy, has been reported worldwide with the number of suspected cases in the United States increasing from 24 in 2009 to over...

Alpha-gal Syndrome risk in Mid-Atlantic US tied to habitat fragmentation & tick exposure in open/low-dev areas. Personal protection is crucial. Vital for force health & informs targeted prevention in military ops. #Entomology #AlphaGal

journals.plos.org/climate/arti...

Malaria among members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2024 - PubMed Malaria infection remains a potential health threat to U.S. service members located in or near endemic areas due to duty assignments, participation in contingency operations, or personal travel. In 20...

While malaria cases among US service members decreased by 23.1% in 2024 (30 cases) compared to 2023, Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous strain, still accounted for over half of these infections.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40305837/

Babesiosis becoming more prevalent in Maryland, study finds A disease called babesiosis involves parasites that first appear in rodents, and it's becoming more prevalent in Maryland.

Force Health Alert: The tick-borne parasitic disease Babesiosis is now endemic in Maryland. This poses a growing regional threat to personnel. Increased surveillance and mitigation for Ixodes scapularis ticks is critical.

www.wbaltv.com/article/heal...

Lyme disease rising in Michigan, health officials say The tick-borne illness surpassed 1,200 cases reported in 2024.

Lyme disease is surging in MI, posing a higher risk for service members on bases like Camp Grayling & Selfridge ANGB due to outdoor training. Stay vigilant & take preventative measures against ticks! #LymeDisease #Michigan #MilitaryHealth

www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...

VECTOR Library launches to strengthen response to vector-borne disease threats | Penn State University As the United States observes Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, public health and extension professionals across the country have a powerful new tool at their fingertips: the VECTOR Library, a cent...

New VECTOR Library offers resources on vector borne disease prevention & control. This centralized, searchable database aids in rapid response & force protection, supporting enhanced surveillance & regional strategies for military entomologists.

www.psu.edu/news/agricul...

Bugapalooza at the National Museum of Health and Medicine on June 21, 2025, 10 AM-12 PM EDT. Discover bizarre, beneficial, and deadly bugs! Learn about bug-borne illnesses. Free, all ages welcome. Bug costumes encouraged! #Bugapalooza

It's #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth! Get "Tick Smart": Know the risks, prevent bites by using repellent & checking for ticks after being outdoors. Military community: Utilize the free MilTICK program to test ticks! Stay safe & enjoy the outdoors.

www.jbsa.mil/News/News/Ar...

Emerging babesiosis in the mid-Atlantic: autochthonous human babesiosis cases and Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Ixodes keiransi (Acari: Ixodidae... Abstract. The range of Babesia microti (Franca, 1910)-infected ticks is expanding, resulting in locally acquired human babesiosis cases occurring in new ar

Military entomology: Babesia microti-infected I. scapularis ticks expanding in DE, MD, VA. New babesiosis risk. Increased threat in these areas. #Ticks #Babesiosis #MilitaryHealth

academic.oup.com/jme/advance-...

Entomologist <p>The Smithsonian Institution is the world&rsquo;s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.&nbsp; This position is located in&nbsp;Park Management, Natio...

Entomologists! GS-11 IPM Entomologist position in Washington, D.C. Apply by 5/20 to manage pest control at the National Zoo & Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. #entomologyjobs #IPM #usajobs

www.usajobs.gov/job/836505900

MilTICK allows military members to submit human-biting ticks for free testing (species, attachment, pathogens). Data helps assess tick-borne disease risks in military communities. Over 3000 ticks tested in 2024, 167 positive for pathogens.

www.army.mil/article/2852...

New Microarray Platform Aims to Improve Tick-Borne Disease Diagnosis Jason Barker, ND, explains how standard testing can miss co-infections and how Vibrant’s microarray improves sensitivity and efficiency in a single test.

New microarray platform improves tick-borne disease diagnosis. Detects antibodies to 400 antigens, including Lyme & co-infections, with higher sensitivity/specificity than standard tests.

www.contagionlive.com/view/new-mic...

Ticks are emerging. Experts warn of rare but deadly vector-borne virus on the rise Epidemiologist Elizabeth Schiffman, who supervises the Vectorborne Diseases Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition with information to prevent...

Ticks emerge in MN, posing Powassan virus threat. Military personnel at bases like Camp Ripley face risk. Prevention: permethrin, DEET, tick checks. Consult entomology for base-specific guidance.

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...

Got a great vector-borne disease research idea? The AMCA Research Fund is accepting preproposals! Fuel innovation in military entomology. Learn more: www.mosquito.org/research-fund/ #MilitaryEntomology #ResearchFunding

Tick researchers identify new strain of Rickettsia bacteria that causes spotted fever infections in humans In a residential backyard in Maine, Project ITCH researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst stumbled upon a surprise finding: rabbit ticks harboring a new type of bacteria related to a g...

Project ITCH discovered rabbit ticks in Maine carrying Rickettsia sp. ME2023, a novel spotted fever group bacteria. Though rabbit ticks rarely bite humans, this pathogen might spill over to vectors that do.

phys.org/news/2025-04...

NIH Grant Targets Tick-Borne Diseases UMD Leads Multi-institutional Campaign Combatting Pest’s Ability to Harbor, Transmit Bacteria

A University of Maryland led team has been awarded a five-year, multimillion-dollar grant to unravel the complex biology of the deer tick and its role in transmitting Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

today.umd.edu/nih-grant-ta...

Yale Researchers Advance Work in Diagnosing and Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases New research led by Yale School of Medicine advances the goals of creating a diagnostic test and vaccines for tick-borne diseases. The study was published March

Yale researchers advance tick-borne disease prevention with new diagnostics and a potential anti-tick vaccine in 5–10 years. This could enhance force health protection by reducing Lyme & babesiosis risks for deployed personnel.

medicine.yale.edu/news-article...