Members of Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Two (NEPMU-2) conducted a large-scale uniform spray aboard Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) March 10-11.

The NEPMU-2 entomology division treated 300 uniforms for personnel deploying with Comfort and serving in support of Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15), a four-month humanitarian mission to Central and South America.

Mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya are found throughout the Central and South American regions, the main mission sites for CP-15.

"With the Comfort's deployment soon, NEPMU-2's entomology division was able to help protect our Sailors by treating their uniforms," said Hospitalman Derek Galvao, NEPMU-2 preventive medicine technician. "We were able to use our skills to complete the mission at hand and are always ready to help the fleet at any given moment. It's one of the great things about being at NEPMU-2."

The first step to increase protection against vector-borne diseases is treating the uniforms with Permethrin. Once uniforms are treated with the insecticide, it binds to the fabric and will last for the duration of the mission. Sailors are also advised to wear their sleeves down to minimize exposed skin and use approved topical insect repellent.

"One of our best lines of defense against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya is insecticide-treated uniforms," said Lt. Cmdr. James Dunford, an NEPMU-2 entomologist who is scheduled to deploy aboard Comfort. "There are no vaccines for these diseases, and both diseases and their associated mosquito vectors are prevalent in the areas where personnel supporting CP-15 will be operating."

In addition to performing the uniform spray, NEPMU-2 will deploy personnel to CP-15 provide public health support in the areas of entomology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, microbiology and preventive medicine.

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