The Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Research Program: Developing New Public Health Pesticides, Application Technologies, and Repellent Systems

Abstract

Abstract : The Research Program for Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) against disease-carrying insects is an initiative by the United States Department of Defense to develop, validate and use novel materials and technologies to protect deployed military personnel from vector-borne diseases, especially those transmitted by mosquitoes and sand flies. Launched in 2004 and administered by the U.S. Armed Forces Pest Management Board, the program is funded at US $5 million annually. The DWFP research portfolio is concentrated in three areas: novel insecticide chemistries/formulations, application technologies, and personal protective measures. The program supports research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service National Program for Veterinary Medical and Urban Entomology, plus a competitive grants process open to non-USDA scientists. The DWFPs ultimate objectives are to develop integrated vector control systems, find industry partners to bring novel products to the public health market, and make them available for military use. This article highlights DWFP program accomplishments achieved through its competitive grants process exemplified by the rodent feed-through technique with insecticidal baits for controlling phlebotomine sand flies; developing attractive targeted sugar bait for use against mosquitoes and sand flies; developing a lethal oviposition trap for container-breeding mosquitoes and evaluating using pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator) and autodissemination by these mosquitoes to block their reproduction and metamorphosis; defining the limitations of insect repellents against infected vectors; and developing the Florida Fly Baiter and several types of novel sprayer equipment for insecticide application.