Source: AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE submitted to NRP
BITING PROTECTION ASSESSMENT OF U.S. MILITARY UNIFORMS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CRITERIA TO PROTECT TROOPS ON FUTURE FIELD DEPLOYMENTS
Sponsoring Institution
Agricultural Research Service/USDA
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
USDA INHOUSE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0414835
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Mar 14, 2008
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2008
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
(N/A)
GAINESVILLE,FL 30604
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
40%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
31260101130100%
Knowledge Area
312 - External Parasites and Pests of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
The objective of this research is to determine if permethrin repellent application is efficacious in preventing mosquito bites when the permethrin is applied to factory-treated military clothing with flame retardant finishes.
Project Methods
This research will be conducted using the "bite protection assay" developed by MFRU/CMAVE to establish if factory-produced fire-retardant ACU (FRACU) overcome issues related to IDA Kit treatment of these uniforms and if new Army shirts are efficacious. The bite protection assay is IRB approved and is conducted using human volunteers who wear sewn sleeves to test if the garment prevent mosquito bites in a laboratory assay. The results are compared to untreated clothing to determine the benefit of permethrin repellent as a function of the percentage reduction in bites compared to the control.

Progress 03/14/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this research is to determine if permethrin repellent application is efficacious in preventing mosquito bites when the permethrin is applied to factory-treated military clothing with flame retardant finishes. Approach (from AD-416) This research will be conducted using the "bite protection assay" developed by MFRU/CMAVE to establish if factory-produced fire-retardant ACU (FRACU) overcome issues related to IDA Kit treatment of these uniforms and if new Army shirts are efficacious. The bite protection assay is IRB approved and is conducted using human volunteers who wear sewn sleeves to test if the garment prevent mosquito bites in a laboratory assay. The results are compared to untreated clothing to determine the benefit of permethrin repellent as a function of the percentage reduction in bites compared to the control. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This project relates to the in-house project Objective 4: Discover, evaluate and develop new personal/animal protection tools. Research efforts by researchers at Natick Soldier Center and the Mosquito and Fly Research Unit (MFRU) were directed at the evaluation of factory-treated Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniforms (FRACUs) for the U.S. Army. The factory-treated uniforms provided bite protection levels of 75% or greater over the lifetime of the uniform. Progress was monitored and documented by reports issued to Natick at the completion of experiments and reporting of research results at international and national meetings and at committee meetings held at the Armed Forces Pest Management Board. This reimbursable agreement is expired and the work is continuing under a new agreement.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications