GLWACH Environmental Health Division conducts mosquito surveillance

By Mr. John Brooks (Army Medicine)August 8, 2016

Build your own mosquito trap!
1st Lt. Jake Pinion, GLWACH's Environmental Health Division chief at General Leonard Wood Army Community hospital, pours water into a home-made mosquito trap. GLWACH's Environmental Health Division conducts mosquito surveillance using specially desig... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital's Preventive Medicine Division regularly monitors mosquito populations on Ft. Leonard Wood.

Twenty-four-hour mosquito surveillance of the cantonment area is conducted using Centers for Disease Control light traps, as well as Ovicup traps, set by GLWACH's PMD technicians, to capture adult mosquitos as well as their larvae for disease testing. Technicians check the traps twice per week.

"If you encounter any of these traps, which are accompanied by signs which say, 'Preventive Medicine, Mosquito Surveillance underway', please do not disturb them," said 1st Lt. Jake Pinion, GLWACH's Environmental Health division chief.

In addition, special Sentinel mosquite traps are deployed here to specifically target Aedes Albopictis and Aedes Aegypti mosquitos, the primary culprits of Zika Virus (ZIKV).

There have been three cases of ZIKV in Missouri this year, all contracted due to travel outside of the United States.

"However, just because there haven't been local infections, this doesn't mean it's time to let your guard down," Pinion said.

Even with Environmental Health division monitoring, there are steps you should take to reduce the mosquito population, Pinion said.

"Mosquitos breed in water, so if you can eliminate the amount of stagnant water, in birdbaths, pet water bowls, and clogged gutters, and so on, you can significantly reduce the mosquito threat in your neighborhood," Pinion said.

Female mosquitos must take a blood meal (i.e. drink your blood) before reproducing. To reduce your chances of becoming a meal for a mosquito, cover your exposed skin with an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent.

Mosquitos also typically shy away from air conditioned homes as well, preferring humid areas.

"Ensure your screens are in good condition," Pinion said. "Patch holes and replace dilapidated screens before your hot air goes out and bothersome pests come in."

For more information, visit the www.CDC.gov, www.facebook.com/GLWACH, or contact GLWACH's Environmental Health division at 573-596-4913.