Armed Forces Pest Management Board
@afpmb.bsky.social
41 followers 9 following 76 posts
AFPMB recommends policy, guidance, and coordinates the exchange of information on all matters related to pest management throughout the Department of Defense
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
afpmb.bsky.social
🚨 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
eBRAP Online Application Submission
eBRAP.org
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.thomasnet.com
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
www.train.org
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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).
www.ecdc.europa.eu
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.unc.edu
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.ksdk.com
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
www.health.mil
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
Online Tick Training Course 2025 - SECVBD
ifas-secvbd.catalog.instructure.com
afpmb.bsky.social
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
VECTOR Library — VECTOR Library
www.vector-education.org
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
solutions.mosquito.org
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
Entomology 2025
www.entsoc.org
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.the-scientist.com
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.wmtw.com
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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
news.usuhs.edu
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.npr.org
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
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.
edition.cnn.com
afpmb.bsky.social
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...
www.usda.gov