Innovation, bio-surveillance enhance force health protection during Justified Accord 2026 U.S. Army Maj. Luis Pow Sang, a microbiologist with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Africa, performs a nucleic acid extraction and polymerase chain reaction test to identify potential biologi...

During Justified Accord 2026 in East Africa, US Army microbiologists conducted bio-surveillance on mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies collected across exercise locations to identify pathogens that could threaten deployed forces.

Source: www.dvidshub.net/image/955898...

A flesh-eating fly is advancing towards the US border – can it be stopped? The New World screwworm parasite can infest livestock, pets and even humans.

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) has spread north through Mexico to within miles of the Texas border. USDA sterile insect technique facilities are being refurbished to restart producing sterile flies by summer 2026 to counter the outbreak.

theconversation.com/a-flesh-eati...

ArboNET ArboNET is the national arbovirus surveillance system managed by CDC and health departments.

CDC updated ArboNET, the national arbovirus surveillance system with 2026 data on dengue, West Nile, and other vector-borne diseases tracked across U.S. states and territories as mosquito season approaches.

www.cdc.gov/vector-borne...

The Bug Stops Here: WPAFB’s Smallest Mission-Critical Team The base pest management office, a specialized unit within the 88th Civil Engineer Squadron, manages wildlife and insect populations across the sprawling landscapes of both Area A and Area B.

Wright-Patterson AFB's pest management team conducts regular inspections and facility treatments to eliminate disease-carrying insects and rodents that could impact the readiness of personnel stationed at the installation.

www.dvidshub.net/news/561439/...

Insects as disease vectors: Historical and contemporary analysis of entomological warfare Entomological warfare has been known since ancient civilizations used insects to spread disease among enemies. Advances in science and technology have enhanced the potential for using insects as vectors for viruses and toxins in warfare, including ...

New research explores the evolving challenges of entomological warfare, analyzing historical uses and modern advancements like genetic engineering and drone-based delivery. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Calling all military entomologists! The FY27 Global Emerging Infections Surveillance request for proposals is out. Focus on Force Health Protection, modern tech like AI, and CCMD alignment. 🧬 Proposals are due May 8, 2026, via ProMIS.

CAC Login to Apply: carepoint.health.mil/sites/DMSS/P...

Termites are swarming Florida even faster than predicted Most of the state may be fighting the invasive species by 2050.

Entomologists at the University of Florida report that invasive subterranean termites are expanding their range across the state faster than predicted. This research suggests that by 2050, most of Florida may be battling these species.

www.popsci.com/environment/...

The U.S. Army & Defense Health Agency issued a health advisory regarding New World screwworm following a detection in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which shares a border with Texas.

www.army.mil/article/2903...

For Bed Bugs, Mortality Shifts With Varying Heat, Humidity Combos A new study finds low humidity generally decreases bed bug survival, but the best combination was high humidity (90%) and high heat (40 degrees Celsius).

A new study examines how heat and humidity combos affect bed bug mortality. While low humidity increases stress, the most lethal pairing was 40°C at 90% humidity. These findings offer critical data for refining heat treatments in managed facilities.

entomologytoday.org/2026/02/09/b...

Inside a Fly Larva's Gut, Microbes Take a Bite Out of Plastic New research finds black soldier fly larvae can eat and partially break down polyurethane, thanks to their gut microbes.

Nature's tiniest recyclers just leveled up. Black soldier fly larvae can eat polyurethane plastic — and it's their gut microbes doing the heavy lifting. One bacterial strain actually breaks down the stuff. The future of plastic waste might be very, very small.

entomologytoday.org/2026/02/10/b...

New Funding Opportunity: The Fiscal Year 2026 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) has been announced with $7M in anticipated funding.

Seeking research in Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Diagnosis to protect Service Members.

cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2...

The USDA-APHIS has launched the $100M New World Screwworm Grand Challenge! 🪰 Seeking innovations in sterile fly production, traps, lures, and animal treatments to stop the spread of NWS.

📅 Apply by Feb 23, 2026
💰 Up to $5M per award

www.grants.gov/search-resul...

The Army recently highlighted Captain Jordan Cornell's work as Entomology Chief for Public Health in Europe. His role focuses on vector surveillance and mitigation strategies to reduce disease risk for the warfighter.

www.army.mil/article/2904...

Beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever: investigation of the presence and diversity of spotted fever Rickettsia species in ticks submitted from forestry workers Abstract. Ticks present a significant risk to people in the southern United States, particularly those who spend time outdoors, as ticks can transmit agent

Recent investigation reveals a high diversity of Rickettsia species in ticks beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For military medicine, this highlights the need for broader diagnostic awareness when treating personnel stationed in wooded training environments.

academic.oup.com/jme/article-...

Nominations are open for the 2026 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award! This is a great chance to recognize a U.S. military veteran who has demonstrated excellence and selfless service within the pest management industry.

www.npmapestworld.org/your-busines...

Biotechnology Breaks Through in FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act - Biotech Biotechnology Breaks Through in FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act  With 17 new provisions, Committees embrace the critical role biotech plays in shaping the future of national security.     9...

The FY2026 NDAA establishes a new Biotechnology Management Office to accelerate the development of bio-based defense solutions. This means new support for biomanufacturing innovative pest controls and enhanced intelligence sharing on biological threats.

www.biotech.senate.gov/press-releas...

Pest & Farm Management: Top 7 US Trends For 2026 Discover advanced pest management, farm management, and sustainable crop management trends for 2025—integrating IPM, precision tech, and eco-friendly strategies.

The 2026 outlook for IPM focuses on AI-driven advisory systems, drone-based surveillance, and biological controls like entomopathogenic fungi. Precision technology is now a primary driver in reducing pesticide use while maintaining force protection.

farmonaut.com/usa/pest-far...

Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood Deforestation might lead to more deadly mosquito bites.

New research shows that deforestation in the Atlantic Forest is driving mosquito species to seek human blood as their preferred hosts disappear. This highlights an increasing risk of new disease vectors emerging in changing environments.

www.popsci.com/environment/...

Beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever: investigation of the presence and diversity of spotted fever Rickettsia species in ticks submitted from forestry workers Abstract. Ticks present a significant risk to people in the southern United States, particularly those who spend time outdoors, as ticks can transmit agent

Recent investigation reveals a high diversity of Rickettsia species in ticks beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For military medicine, this highlights the need for broader diagnostic awareness when treating personnel stationed in wooded training environments.

academic.oup.com/jme/advance-...

Ticks Crowned National Pest Management Association’s 2025 Pest of the Year as ER Visits Hit Five-Year High NPMA names ticks 2025 Pest of the Year as CDC reports record tick bite ER visits. Learn about tick-borne diseases, prevention, and pest control tips.

The NPMA has named ticks the 2025 Pest of the Year. With ER visits for bites at a 5-year high and the rise of Alpha-gal syndrome, it is a critical time for the AFPMB to reinforce the use of treated uniforms and personal protective measures (PPM) across the Force.

www.pestworld.org/multimedia-c...

Recent Florida Cases of Chikungunya Linked to Cuba Travelers, Reminder Vector-Borne Illness is Still Circulating Contagion Live During this time of year, much of the US becomes too cold for mosquitos to transmit vector-borne diseases. However, Chikungunya is still be transmitted in tropical environments. For …

Health officials report a surge in Chikungunya cases among travelers returning from the Caribbean and Cuba. With 2025 cases rising, military personnel traveling to tropical regions must prioritize mosquito bite prevention to maintain readiness and avoid infection.

www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...

Backyard insect inspires large-scale invisibility particles production | Penn State University A team at Penn State has now developed a high-speed platform capable of producing synthetic versions of brochosomes at a rate exceeding 100,000 per second, a technological achievement that could lead ...

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in mass-producing synthetic "brochosomes"—nanostructures used by leafhoppers to hide. This discovery paves the way for new bio-inspired camouflage and optical coatings for military equipment and personnel.

www.psu.edu/news/materia...

Traps baited with dry ice outperform cloth drags for capturing ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in 3 widely separated geographic regions Abstract. Surveillance is crucial for monitoring tick populations and assessing disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that dry ice-baited traps with a dow

New research in the Journal of Medical Entomology shows dry ice-baited traps significantly outperform traditional cloth drags for capturing Ixodidae ticks. This finding offers military entomologists a more efficient method for field surveillance and risk assessment.

academic.oup.com/jme/advance-...

Rare exotic tick species identified in Connecticut The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has identified four nonnative exotic tick species in Connecticut in recent years, with the blood-feeding

Globalization means vector threats can hitch a ride. Surveillance is paramount: exotic tick species from Central America, Europe, and Africa are being intercepted on returning travelers. Vigilance is critical at ports of entry to protect CONUS and global force health. ysph.yale.edu/news-article...

1st Death Linked to ‘Meat Allergy’ Spread by Ticks A healthy 47-year-old man from New Jersey died abruptly four hours after consuming beef -- the first confirmed death from the "meat allergy."

UVA Health confirms first death linked to tick-borne alpha-gal meat allergy. Lone Star tick bites can sensitize individuals to the sugar alpha-gal, causing fatal anaphylaxis risk. Prioritize surveillance and soldier education on tick avoidance!

newsroom.uvahealth.com/2025/11/13/1...

VCU researchers find explosive rise in tick-linked meat allergy across the U.S

AGS, the tick-linked meat allergy, is rapidly rising across the U.S. and spreading beyond the Southeast. The expansion of the lone star tick's range demands increased surveillance and education on tick bite prevention to maintain troop health and mission readiness. www.vcuhealth.org/news/vcu-res...

Invasive species of disease-carrying mosquito continues to spread in Northern California Populations of an invasive species of disease-carrying mosquitoes are continuing to spread throughout Northern California

The invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito, a vector for dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, is spreading into new territory in Northern California. This species highlights the critical need for vigilant surveillance & rapid response to protect personnel readiness.

abcnews.go.com/US/invasive-...

Tracking ticks and tackling disease: AI transforms medical entomology A robot “dog” may soon make its way from a Purdue entomology lab to fetch real-time data on tick populations in the wild. It’s just one example of how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming medi...

AI is the new force multiplier in medical entomology. From autonomous robot dogs tracking tick hotspots to machine learning identifying novel antimicrobials, this tech is accelerating vector control & readiness for the Warfighter. ag.purdue.edu/news/2025/10...

FY26 DWFP (Deployed Warfighter Protection Program) DEADLINE UPDATE! Due to the government shutdown, the Pre-Application deadline is extended to Nov 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Full proposals due Mar 25, 2026. Submit early via the EBRAPS website.

ebrap.org/eBRAP/public...

IL's first Powassan virus case reported! 🚨 This serious, sometimes fatal, tick-borne virus is spread by the black-legged tick. With 36 cases from 9 states reported this year, military entomologists must stay vigilant in their tick surveillance and control efforts.

dph.illinois.gov/resource-cen...