Armed Forces Pest Management Board

🚨 DWFP Research Funding Alert! Apply for the DOD FY26 Deployed Warfighter Protection Program. Seek innovative research to protect troops from disease vectors. Max $975K. Pre-Application Due: Nov 5, 2025. Learn more on eBRAP: ebrap.org #DODResearch #VectorControl

Robot Coyotes Join U.S. Army to Guard Airfields as Wildlife Control The U.S. military is deploying remote-controlled “Coyote Rovers” to scare birds from airfields, reducing dangerous and costly bird strikes to military aircraft.

Army airfields deploy "Coyote Rovers," low-cost robotic coyotes on RC vehicles, to deter wildlife and prevent costly, dangerous bird strikes. Field tests proved effective in clearing runways. This tech boosts flight safety and operational readiness for the military. www.thomasnet.com/insights/u-s...

New CDC web-course on Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) for healthcare pros is available. Learn about AGS epi, diagnostics, management, and tick bite prevention. Understanding this tick-borne allergy is crucial for military personnel readiness and health. Free CE/CME.

www.train.org/cdctrain/cou...

New CA Vector-Borne Disease Report: West Nile virus down, but dengue cases up (18 local, 720 travel-assoc.). Aedes aegypti established in 25 counties. Surveillance on plague and hantavirus ongoing. Protecting personnel is key to readiness.

westnile.ca.gov/pdfs/VBDSAnn...

Dengue worldwide overview Every month ECDC provides detailed epidemiological overview of the worldwide transmission of dengue in its weekly threat report (Communicable Diseases Threat Report).

Global dengue cases have surpassed 4 million in 2025, with local transmission now reported in France and Italy. This highlights the ever-evolving threat of vector-borne disease spread and the need for constant surveillance to protect our personnel. www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/dengue-mo...

Battling blood-suckers with data | UNC-Chapel Hill With North Carolina at the epicenter of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses, Dr. Ross Boyce is gathering data from a variety of sources to battle these sometimes fatal diseases.

Vector surveillance is key! A recent study highlights the increasing prevalence of tick-borne diseases like Lyme and Heartland virus in the U.S., even in areas not historically affected. Proactive data collection and risk mapping are essential for protecting our forces.

www.unc.edu/discover/bat...

Missouri's 'kissing bugs' are spreading an incredibly rare parasitic disease that's here to stay, CDC says The CDC report shouldn't cause panic among the public, as it's still extremely rare to contract the disease, an infectious disease expert told 5 On Your Side.

New CDC findings confirm Chagas disease is now endemic to the U.S. and highlights the importance of continued vector surveillance. It’s a reminder that global health threats can become local, and military entomologists must stay vigilant in protecting our forces.

www.ksdk.com/article/news...

The odd new strategy in Sacramento: fighting mosquitoes with more mosquitoes In Natomas, crews are releasing 400,000 sterile male mosquitoes that don’t bite but mate with invasive Aedes aegypti. The goal is to stop the spread of diseases like Zika and dengue while cutting back...

An interesting approach to vector control is being piloted in Sacramento, where sterile male mosquitoes are released to prevent the hatching of eggs from invasive Aedes aegypti.

www.capradio.org/articles/202...

During MSMR’s relatively short lifespan, the military health data infrastructure has grown in extraordinary ways, producing remarkable advancements in comprehensive disease reporting, deployment-related health care, and more complete capture of health care provided to military service members and beneficiaries.

Celebrating 30 years, the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report is a vital resource for tracking health threats. It provides data on illnesses, including vector-borne diseases and venomous animal encounters, to support #ForceHealthProtection and #Readiness.

health.mil/News/Article...

Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command Epidemiologists Enhance Force Health Protection Through Improved Medical Surveillance Capabilities September 4, 2025 -- In a significant advancement for Navy public health, epidemiologists with the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC) are revolutionizing how the fleet mon...

New biosurveillance tools like ESSENCE are enhancing #ForceHealthProtection by giving epidemiologists near real-time data on illnesses at sea. This tech allows for early outbreak detection & better decision-making to maintain warfighter readiness.

www.dvidshub.net/news/547623/...

At the Defense Health Information Technology Symposium, military health leaders discussed the importance of AI governance to securely innovate and adopt digital tools. These tools are key to improving patient outcomes & bolstering warfighter readiness.

www.health.mil/News/Dvids-A...

Learn about tick identification, biology, and control in this free online course from the University of Florida. Ideal for pest management and public health professionals. CEUs for FL & CA are pending renewal.

ifas-secvbd.catalog.instructure.com/courses/onli...

Mission-ready intel for force health protection. The VECTOR Library is a new hub with 1400+ free, expert-vetted resources on vector-borne disease control. An essential tool for military entomologists focused on keeping personnel safe.

www.vector-education.org/vector-library

Exclusive: U.S. confirms nation's first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak The government's confirmation of a screwworm case comes just over a week after U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins traveled to Texas to announce plans to build a sterile fly facility there as part of efforts to combat the pest.

U.S. confirms nation's first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak

www.reuters.com/business/env...

Keeping Mosquitoes in Check: Resistance Monitoring Updates from NEVBD - AMCA Learn how NEVBD tracks insecticide resistance in mosquitoes to protect public health and support effective control across the Northeast US.

Insecticide resistance is rising in disease-carrying mosquitoes in the northeastern U.S., threatening public health. The NEVBD is monitoring species like Culex pipiens to ensure control methods remain effective. Learn about their findings.

solutions.mosquito.org/mosquito-res...

The Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Entomology 2025, will take place from November 9-12, 2025 in Portland, OR. Registration is now open. www.entsoc.org/events/annua...

The Alpha-Gal Syndrome Story: How Researchers Traced a Red-Meat Allergy to Ticks At the intersection of a red meat allergy and a cancer-drug reaction investigations, researchers pinned a lone star culprit.

The lone star tick is inducing a red meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome. This fascinating article details the discovery, which linked the allergy to a cancer drug reaction. A growing Force Health Protection concern as the tick's range expands.

www.the-scientist.com/the-alpha-ga...

Invasive tick that can reproduce without mating found in Maine for the first time The Asian longhorned tick was found in Cumberland County and can create infestations from a single individual.

The invasive Asian longhorned tick has been found in Maine for the first time. This species is a threat to pets, livestock, and wildlife, as a single female can reproduce without a mate. Mainers are urged to be vigilant and report any unusual ticks.

www.wmtw.com/article/inva...

Exotic ticks are hitchhiking their way to the US on travelers, raising public health concerns Ticks are hitching a free ride to the US from different parts of the world, raising concerns among scientists. In a recent study, researchers reported the introduction of seven exotic tick species to ...

A recent iScience study reports 7 exotic tick species introduced to the US via travelers (2019-2023). Notably, two Amblyomma mixtum nymphs tested positive for Rickettsia amblyommatis, highlighting an urgent need for enhanced biosurveillance and pathogen screening.

medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08...

From Basic Training to Breakthroughs: Army Enlisted Soldier Earns Ph.D. and Commission in Medical Entomology USU News: the online source for news and updates from the Uniformed Services University

From enlisted soldier to entomology researcher, Staff Sgt. Luka Ndungu's journey highlights the Army's commitment to cultivating internal talent. He earned his Ph.D. from USU and is now commissioning as an officer, helping to combat future threats.

news.usuhs.edu/2025/07/from...

Inaugural Bug Camp brings real-world science to young students at Aberdeen Proving Ground The Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen launched its first-ever Bug Camp, July 14-18, introducing 10 middle school students to the world of military entomology through hands-on scientific resea...

Army scientists at Aberdeen Proving Ground hosted the inaugural Bug Camp for local students. The free, two-day camp taught kids about entomology, invasive species, and careers in science through hands-on activities, sparking an interest in real-world science.

www.dvidshub.net/news/544994/...

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...