Members of Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit (NEPMUS) 7 trained with their Spanish navy counterparts at Naval Station Rota during a three day operational entomology training, Sept. 28-30.

This collaborative training, approved by the U.S. and Spanish Permanent Committee and the Spanish Joint Staff, marks the first time the U.S. and Spanish navy public health experts have teamed up to share best practices in battling disease vectors like ticks, sandflies, mosquitoes and other pests that commonly threaten the health and welfare of Sailors and Marines in both navies.

The training included demonstrations of vector surveillance techniques, insect identification, pest control methods including non-chemical and chemical control, and use of equipment used to manage vectors and pests. It concluded with a demonstration of the sanitario arc, the Veterinaria Militar Armada mobile decontamination station used to disinfect equipment entering and departing the port to prevent movement of biological agents (fungi, bacteria, virus or insects) into or out of the Kingdom of Spain.

"What I took away from the training was our navies battle similar pest and vector problems both on land and at sea. We both use a strategy called integrated pest management which is both an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest control," said NEPMU-7 Entomologist Lt. Cmdr. Connie Johnson. "We have similar shipboard pest management problems, so it was interesting to see the strategies and equipment that the Spanish navy utilizes. I think that some could easily be incorporated into our work aboard ships for the U.S. Navy."

Vector-borne diseases like tick-borne encephalitis, leishmaniasis, dengue fever and malaria account for 17 percent of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases and can have a tremendous impact on military operations. The training allowed experts from both navies to see where their pest and vector management programs aligned and where equipment and techniques differed in order to identify best practices. The training also provided a foundation for future collaboration and support in the event of an emergency.

"It has been a pleasure and a great opportunity to work together and to learn from our American colleagues. On our side, we contributed with our experience in pest control operations in our area of influence and responsibility, both within land units and ships. We also shared our experience in controlling vector transmitted diseases that Spanish troops may be exposed to where they operate or are deployed," said Comandante Veterinario Silvia Saenz de Santa Mara Saez, veterinarian and officer in charge of the Servicio Veterinario, Jefatura de Apoyo Sanitario de la Bahia de Cadiz.

"I look forward to having another opportunity to work with our Spanish counterparts. The more we work together, the more we can learn and benefit from mutual support should we ever face something like a vector-borne disease outbreak," said Johnson.

For more information on pest and vector management in the U.S. military, look to the Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) at www.afpmb.org.

The AFPMB recommends policy, provides guidance and coordinates the exchange of information on all matters related to pest management throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). The AFPMB's mission is to ensure that environmentally sound and effective programs are present to prevent pests and disease vectors from adversely affecting DoD operations.

For more news from Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, visit www.navy.mil/.