Preventive Medicine Conducts Entomological Survey
Sgt. Jonathan Skiles, 480th Medical Detachment, partners with Staff Sgt. Helen Tokaiqali, UK J4 MED, and Spanish counterparts to set up a mosquito light trap on post in Iraq. An entomological survey was conducted to obtain the “ground truth” of mosquitoes on the compound and organize a way to mitigate the mosquitos. Entomological surveys are regularly scheduled by preventive medicine Soldiers and in cases like this when additional surveillance is required. Data is collected by sampling, providing an assessment of potential acute and chronic health effects, both short and long term, throughout the CENTCOM deployed population. Functioning under the 3d Medical Command (Deployment Support) the 480th MED DET provides preventive medicine and force health protection for Department of Defense personnel and coalition forces operating in the CENTCOM area. These surveys are one of the ways preventive medicine works to keep deployed Soldiers battle ready.