Reducing Risk of VBD
Service members should
learn the VBD threats in local areas and especially prior to travelling or deploying
and follow these two primary DoD VBD prevention tactics to reduce risk of a VBD:
1. Comply with the
DoD’s Insect Repellant System, which includes wearing insect repellent on exposed skin and wearing uniforms treated with permethrin, an insecticide. Since several types of vectors can bite both indoors and outdoors all day, it is important to ensure protection throughout the entire day. For example, Service members deployed or stationed where there is threat of mosquito-borne diseases must protect themselves and their families by wearing permethrin-treated uniforms/clothing, using insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin and IR3535 (all of which are recognized by CDC as safe for pregnant women when used as directed on the product label). See Personal Protection Measures outlined in
Technical Guide No. 36.
Knowing when and where the insect vector(s) feed can also help avoid exposure to vectors of concern. For example, mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water supplies (so avoid, remove, cover contained water), and ticks are more prone to grassy woody areas. Learn about vector threat habitats and times of day in areas that you will be in.
2. Properly take any vaccines or preventive medications (prophylaxis), including completing any prophylaxis medications after return.
DoD specifies requirements for vaccines and prophylaxis medications based on worldwide regions of deployment. Civilians can proactively investigate what prophylaxis or vaccines are recommended for an area of travel by using the
CDC’s Travelers' Health guide.
It is critically important to obtain medication from your provider prior to travel and to take it as prescribed. If during or after return you experience illness such as a high or recurrent fever, seek medical care immediately, and inform your provider about your recent travel risk.
NOTE:
As of 7/2024, the military only uses VBD vaccines for tick-borne encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever for Service members stationed or deployed to endemic areas. Other VBD vaccines may only be approved for children, such as malaria and dengue, OR are still so new that policies on their use have not been incorporated into military requirements (such as for chikungunya). Instead of vaccines for most VBDs the military opts for prophylaxis medications (such as for malaria), or post-exposure treatment using an antibiotic (such as doxycycline for tick-borne illnesses like Lyme) – both which are effective and used by civilians.
Additional Resources
VBD threats by world areas and recommended prophylactic medicines/vaccines
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CDC Travelers' Health – worldwide travel destination tool for disease threat, medicine and vaccine guidance
Preventing exposure (prevent bug bites)
