Navy Entomology Center for Excellence keeps bugs at bay

Diseases can spread quickly in a military unit, due to the bite of mosquitoes or ticks, unsanitary living conditions, water contamination and/or human contact.

To protect our military personnel against these diseases, primarily those transmitted (or vectored) by insects, the Department of Defense (DoD) employs a small group of medical entomologists among the branches of the Armed Services. These highly trained professionals work hand-in-hand with their enlisted counterparts, the preventive medical technicians (PMTs), who are responsible for a variety of programs all aimed at keeping our troops healthy.

"I often have to explain what an entomologist is and why the Navy would need uniformed entomologists. The nature of vector control is preventative, therefore, we do not get much notice until existing pest and vector control practices are overwhelmed, often resulting in outbreaks of vector-borne disease," remarked Navy Entomologist Lt.j.g. Connie Johnson.

The Department of the Navy employs approximately 36 entomologists stationed around the world, 11 of whom are assigned to the Navy Entomology Center of Excellence (NECE) at NAS Jacksonville along with 11 PMT's and a few administrative personnel.

Tobi, an emperor scorpion, is large enough to kill her prey with her claws. Therefore, she is more docile since she doesn't have to inject immobilizing venom into her prey. Tobi is a species of scorpion whose sting is only toxic to one percent of the population which isn't the case with the scorpions of the Western United States or Iraq and Kuwait where troops have experienced life-threatening reactions within minutes to scorpions in these areas.

"We are a unique DoD command. No one out there has a main focus to protect the warfighter from vermin that cause disease. We provide rapid knock-down with plans that provide immediate protection to the warfighter," explained NECE Officer-in-Charge Cmdr. Steven Rankin.

"Commercial research is capitalized. We are not in this for money or product. We are in this to keep the warfighter free from vector-borne disease, allowing them to focus on their mission."

The NECE not only tests and evaluates pesticide application techniques and equipment, but they also provide education on the proper and judicious use of pesticides and in specifics on the biology and control of insects and other arthropods such as scorpions and spiders.

They are also often called upon to assist when vertebrates such as rodents, snakes and mammals become a threat to personnel. NECE personnel conduct reviews of shore installations to ensure pesticides are used safely and effectively. In addition, they also provide information to deploying units on medically important vectors in their area of operations as well as recommend the best methods for vector control.

A roach colony that was grown at the facility has finally become large enough for further testing. Photo by Cmdr. Daniel Szumlas

"Controlling insect pests and vectors is very much like waging a war, you have to learn all you can about your enemy and even when you think you have them beat, they develop some mechanism to get around your plans. We have a challenging but rewarding job," commented Johnson.

One of the most important jobs the NECE has is ensuring deployed personnel are protected from vectors of disease. They provide training in public health pest control and certify PMTs and DoD pest controllers to apply pesticides toward this cause. "Our unit has provided support to local deploying units by treating uniforms with a repellant that provides protection against mites, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes," said Johnson.

"Deploying troops are to follow the DoD Insect Repellant System which includes wearing the repellant treated uniform, proper wear of the uniform and application of a 33 percent DEET solution to exposed areas of skin."

An Air Force C-130 is used to spray various bug repellents over wide areas of land. The rods that protude out the sides of the aircraft expel the repellent and can cover up to 75,000 acres of land. Photo by MC1(AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake

"Using this system, up to 99 percent of troops can be protected from vector-borne diseases. What that ultimately means is...they can remain healthy, continue to do their jobs and accomplish the mission at hand," she added.

The NECE also conducts in-house and off-site training for service members and DoD civilians. They also offer an on-the-job training program that allows qualified military personnel to intern at their center for two weeks. Also, the department hosts school tours and its members offer presentations to local schools.

"We teach children about insects, most of which are beneficial to man. There are only a few groups of insects that spread disease and they do it so effectively. What the school children generally get out of our presentations is a fascination with insects and they really enjoy seeing our educational animals like our Emperor scorpion, Tobi, and the Madagascar hissing roaches since they've often seen these animals on the television show, Fear Factor," said Johnson.

A Chilean rose tarantula named Rosie has found a happy home at the Navy Entomology Center of Excellence Jacksonville. Her purpose is to educate as well.

While mosquitoes are usually their biggest concern, the entomologists also keep a close eye on ticks, flies, spiders and when called upon a wide variety of reptiles. Mosquitoes carry many diseases including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, and West Nile virus.

Ticks carry Lyme disease and sand flies can carry leishmaniasis.

"The most satisfaction I have in doing my job, is in delivering some relief to those who need help in eliminating a pest or in providing vector control support for our troops. When we do our job we remain anonymous and Sailors and Marines can conduct their mission free of nuisance insects or vector-borne disease."

For more information on NECE or to request support, call 542-2424.