Project Number: 6615-32000-043-29
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Mar 14, 2008
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this research is to determine if permethrin repellent application is efficacious in preventing mosquito bites when the permethrin is applied to factory-treated military clothing with flame retardant finishes.

Approach:
This research will be conducted using the "bite protection assay" developed by MFRU/CMAVE to establish if factory-produced fire-retardant ACU (FRACU) overcome issues related to IDA Kit treatment of these uniforms and if new Army shirts are efficacious. The bite protection assay is IRB approved and is conducted using human volunteers who wear sewn sleeves to test if the garment prevent mosquito bites in a laboratory assay. The results are compared to untreated clothing to determine the benefit of permethrin repellent as a function of the percentage reduction in bites compared to the control.